By Clint Thompson
Labor remains a top priority for Georgia fruit and vegetable growers. Whether it’s staying in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration or learning more about the H-2A and H-2B programs, specialty crop producers need events like this week’s Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum to stay updated on a topic that evolves regularly.
Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley discussed labor while attending the Forum, held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I think the Labor Forum has always been important to the Agribusiness Council. I think it’s a partnership that goes back with the Fruit and Vegetable Grower Association, Farm Bureau and other groups to the beginning of the Forum. The reason for that is, when we talk with our members, labor is always the top issue, whether it’s H-2A or H-2B or just a domestic workforce,” Bentley said.
“Labor is always their biggest challenge, whether it’s finding workers or getting the workers here that they’ve already contracted with, or housing or transportation. It’s extremely important to our organization because it’s extremely important to our membership.”
Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
The Georgia Agribusiness Council was a presenting sponsor of the event, as was the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). GFVGA Director of Operations Jennifer Walls highlighted the event’s importance, especially amid the current labor landscape.
“I feel like we say this every year, but this year it’s especially important to be here at the Forum. We’ve got a lot of court cases going on, not only in Georgia but we’ve got some Texas court cases, Louisiana, Florida; all of those are impacting what our farmers are doing,” Walls said.
“That’s not to say we’ve got some silver bullets in the chamber. We still need AEWR (adverse effect wage rate) reform. As it stands currently, if we get hit with another increase in 2026, which if no action is taken then that’s what we’ll be looking at, it’s important to figure out what other avenues we can take.”