Foreign workers will have more responsibility to correct Social Security number mismatches if they occur under a new plan, but many farmers - whose responsibilities also increase - fear the plan will drive even legal workers away.
'Death by a thousand cuts'
It's time for farmers to clean up the government's foreign labor mess. It might be a task they'd do willingly, if Congress would buy them a clean mop, but under the newest round of so-called reforms from the Bush administration, farmers will be forced to do things that are, presumably, the job of the ubiquitous Department of Homeland Security, or the equally omnipresent Social Security Administration. Click here for full story.Drought losses expected? Speak with FSA, insurers
Expecting to see every county in Michigan affected by this year's drought, the Michigan office of the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already begun doing flash reports to determine the extent of the damage. Click here for full story.The new government seasonal farm worker plan, as easy as 1-2-3
With a new set of rules that has been described as "death by a thousand cuts," the Bush administration shifted the burden for workplace immigration enforcement from the department of Homeland Security onto farmers and other small businesses, trapping them in a system in which they can either lose long-time, trusted employees or be fined; or sued by migrant advocacy groups no matter which option they choose. Click here for full story.Farmland values nationally set another record high
U.S. farmland values have risen for the 30th consecutive year and set another record value of $2,160 per acre, a 14 percent increase from 2006, according to a recent USDA report. However, the rate of increase declined 21 percent in 2005 and 15 percent in 2006. Click here for full story.Remember CLAIM if drought leaves crops lacking
What should you do if you feel you have a claim on your crops? If you can spell CLAIM you have your answer. Click here for full story.Drain code amendments proposed
H.B. 4641-4644, and H.B. 4688, have been introduced to amend the Drain Code of 1956. Click here for full story.Have hay? Drought leads to demand in other areas
In a state where water is never more than four miles away, it's a rarity for farmers with Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to need emergency or managed grazing and haying due to dry conditions. Click here for full story.