Forums
Growing Together: Trends and Transformation in U.S. Agriculture Labor
November 19, 2024
Via Zoom
The November Farm Foundation® Forum, Growing Together: Trends and Transformation in U.S. Agriculture Labor, will highlight some of the findings from a recent multi-day symposium that explored the future of the U.S. agricultural workforce. The symposium, held by Farm Foundation and the Economic Resource Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aimed to convene a network of researchers and stakeholders to engage in productive discussions focused on farm labor issues. The primary goal was to strengthen and enhance ongoing farm labor research.
The Forum will be held via Zoom on November 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST.
Moderator:
Michael Marsh
President and CEO, National Council of Agricultural Employers
Panelists:
Alexandra Hill
Assistant Professor, University of California, Berkeley
Philip Martin
Professor Emeritus, University of California, Davis
Andrew Padovani
Senior Research Associate, JBS International
Background
From milking cows and running expensive machinery to hand-picking delicate crops and operating robotics, the U.S. agriculture workforce is vital to making our food system consistent, cost-efficient, and reliable. However, this sector is undergoing significant changes. As costs skyrocket and the number of laborers willing to take on the challenges of farm work rapidly decreases, many producers fear that the lack of a reliable workforce will bring about the end of their operations. For the United States to remain competitive in producing fruit, vegetables, and other labor-intensive commodities, both private and government institutions must accelerate their adaptation to the evolving landscape of farm labor.