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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Chris Butts”
By Clint Thompson What started out as good intentions with the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) has evolved into a system disadvantageous to specialty crop producers. That is the mindset shared by Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). AEWR was intended to protect domestic workers and their potential opportunities for employment. But since …
By Clint Thompson A new farm bill could be introduced sooner rather than later. At least, that’s the hope shared by Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “We are hopeful that you may see some texts in the latter part of the first quarter, February-March. We’re hopeful on that,” Butts said. “If you …
By Chris Butts “I know of no pursuit in which more zeal and important service can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture.” — George Washington, July 1794 Our nation’s founding fathers understood the importance of agriculture to our fledgling republic. The ability to feed ourselves is critical to national security and prevents us from becoming reliant …
By Clint Thompson The 2024 edition of the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is in the books. Thousands attended the annual event in Savannah, Georgia. How to keep specialty crops sustainable was the underlying theme behind presentations given by university, Extension and legislative personnel. The three-day conference and tradeshow was dubbed a success, believes Chris Butts, executive vice president …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers and farming operations should be prepared for strict heat regulations that loom on the horizon, according to Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Butts stresses the importance of producers having plans in place for how to prevent heat illness and how to treat it. They would be …
By Clint Thompson Automation could be the key to a specialty crop producer remaining sustainable. The more tasks that artificial intelligence (AI) can perform on the farm, the fewer responsibilities that would be needed via the H-2A program. But the reality of an automated harvester being made available on a commercial scale for all growers may present more of a …
By Clint Thompson California’s surge up the states leaderboard pertaining to H-2A workers is a plus for Southeast specialty crop producers, according to one industry leader. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), believes it will help enlighten legislative leaders about the challenges associated with navigating through a complicated and expensive program. “I …
By Clint Thompson An increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) means Georgia specialty crop producers will have had their labor expenses increase by 21% the past two years. Combine that with the 28% increase from 2011 to 2020 and Georgia farmers have experienced an almost 50% increase in the past 12 years. That is a tough reality for …
By Clint Thompson An extension to the farm bill buys legislators extra time to devise a new bill before the elections next November. Count the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) as one organization that was disappointed a new bill was not implemented this year. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA, talked about the farm bill and …
By Clint Thompson Ask a specialty crop grower what their top concern is, and the likely responses are labor and trade; maybe not in that order but definitely at the top of the list. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) helped alleviate some of the labor concerns by hosting its annual Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum in Tifton, …
