Navigating Ag's Labor Crisis
Farm Labor Shortage: Causes, Solutions and H-2A Strategies for US Producers
DTN/Progressive Farmer's "Navigating Ag's Labor Crisis" reporting initiative explores what's driving the ag worker shortage and shares strategies some producers are using to adapt.
On this page, you can find links to stories from our special summer 2025 issue of Progressive Farmer, "Labor Pains," along with bonus content related to the series, including multimedia.
You can also find links to the latest DTN/PF news coverage related to ag labor issues.
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"LABOR PAINS" SPECIAL PACKAGEFor more stories, blogs and bonus content related to "Labor Pains" special coverage from Progressive Farmer magazine, see:
-- Editors' Notebook: "The Story Behind Progressive Farmer Magazine's First AI-Generated Cover," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
The summer 2025 issue of Progressive Farmer marked a milestone for the magazine. It's the first time in the publication's nearly 140-year history that we have used an AI-generated image on our cover.
-- Editors' Notebook, "DTN/Progressive Farmer Takes Closer Look at Ag Labor Challenges, Solutions," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Due to multiple factors, agricultural employers nationwide find it difficult to hire workers, reflecting a widespread farm labor shortage.
-- "Changing Demographics and Generational Shifts Make Attracting Agriculture Employees a Challenge," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Agricultural employers across the country face severe labor shortages as rural demographics shift, with fewer farm-raised candidates available for skilled positions. Employers are adapting by recruiting through social media, high schools, and offering better compensation while emphasizing work-life balance to attract talent to rural areas.
-- "Farms Rely on H-2A Program to Fill Jobs as US Faces Reckoning Over Ag Labor," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
American agriculture faces a critical labor shortage, forcing farmers to rely on the H-2A guest worker program despite its high costs and bureaucratic complexity. Farm groups are seeking reforms to legalize undocumented workers and create sustainable labor solutions for ag production.
-- "Here Is What Farmers Need to Know to Navigate the H-2A Guest Worker Program," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Hiring H-2A guest workers requires extensive planning, with farmers needing to start paperwork months ahead, secure inspected housing, navigate complex government processes, and understand how these requirements affect their entire workforce.
-- "Recruiting the Best Employees Is More Than Just Filling Vacancies," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Wisconsin's Gaynor Cranberry Co. tackles labor challenges by focusing on employee fit, offering competitive benefits including health insurance and housing, and developing long-term relationships. The family operation emphasizes defined roles, mentorship, and industry-specific training to retain skilled workers.
-- "Cultivate the Perfect Strategy to Attract and Retain Top Ag Talent," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Today's ag operations must adapt hiring practices to attract specialized workers by offering competitive benefits, clear job descriptions, growth opportunities and work-life balance while embracing technology and flexible management styles to retain valuable employees.
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-- "Farm Labor: Promoting From Within Can Be Rewarding," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Colorado farmer Marc Arnusch wanted someone to not only supervise and execute planting, irrigating and harvesting, he needed someone to take over the planning, purchasing and business relationships of the farm. He discovered his farm's leader was already on the payroll.
-- "Taxlink: Use These Tax-Smart Strategies When Paying for Farm Labor," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Farmers must understand tax implications when paying workers as employees, independent contractors, partners or H-2A workers to avoid costly mistakes.
-- "Understand Generational Differences to Maximize Your Employees' Potential," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Ag businesses like Meherrin Fertilizer are successfully bridging generational gaps by embracing technology while maintaining relationship-focused approaches, creating diverse workplaces where Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z employees learn from each other.
-- "From Classroom to Career: How Colleges and Ag Companies Are Training the Next Generation of Workers," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Educational institutions and ag businesses are forming innovative partnerships nationwide to provide hands-on training, preparing students for evolving agricultural careers while addressing industry workforce shortages in specialized technical and scientific roles.
-- "Loan Repayment Programs Aim to Attract Veterinarians to Underserved Rural Areas," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Rural areas face critical veterinarian shortages, with USDA identifying 243 shortage areas nationwide. Loan repayment programs help attract veterinarians to underserved regions by addressing their substantial student debt.
-- "Ag Mentorship Programs Connect Experienced Farmers With Beginners," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Mentorship programs provide crucial knowledge transfer as agriculture faces an aging workforce.
-- "Autonomous Technology Likely to Enhance, Not Replace, Ag Labor," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Farm labor won't be programmed away by the promises of intelligent technologies, according to experts and producers.
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UPDATED NEWS COVERAGE RELATED TO AG LABOR:
-- "Federal Judge Rejects H-2A Wage Changes," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (8/27/26)
-- "H-2A Drivers Caught in CDL Freeze," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (8/10/26)
-- "Lawmakers Call for H-2A Admin Fixes," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (7/30/26)
-- Ag Policy Blog: "4 Republicans Distance Themselves From House H-2A Reform Over Amnesty," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (7/28/26)
-- "H-2A Reforms Get Fresh Look in Congress," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/30/26)
-- "Trump Administration Rules Dairy Farmers Can Hire H-2A Workers," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/18/26)
-- "ICE Enforcement and Minnesota Farms," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (1/26/26)
-- Ag Policy Blog: "DOL Issues New H-2A Rule Cutting Hourly Wages for Migrant Ag Workers," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (10/3/25)
-- "USDA Wants to End Farm Labor Survey," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (9/2/25)
-- Ag Policy Blog: "Michigan Congressman: Trump Must Lead on Immigration," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (8/6/25)
-- "Navigating the Labor Paper Trail," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (7/21/25)
-- Ag Policy Blog: "Rollins Says No Amnesty for Farmworkers, But Medicaid Recipients Could Fill the Void," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (7/8/25)
-- "President Points to Wins for Farmers, Historic Tax Cuts at America250 Rally in Iowa," https://www.dtnpf.com/…, (7/4/25)
-- Ag Policy Blog: "Congresswoman Says Farmworker Immigration Reform is Possible, But Senate Must Lead," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/26/25)
-- "Ag and Business Groups Struggle Over Trump Administration Reversal on Immigration Raids," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/18/25)
-- "ICE Immigration Raids on Farms Will Resume Despite Trump's Take on Ag Labor," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/17/25)
-- "Ag Secretary Testifies to House Aggies," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/12/25)
-- Ag Policy Blog: "Trump Again Vows to Protect Farmers From Immigration Crackdown, https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/12/25)
-- "ICE Ramps Up Arrests With Raid at Nebraska Meat Plant, California Produce Farms," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/11/25)
-- "Tariff War, Cheap Imports, High Labor Costs All Put Stresses on Aging Farmers," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (6/9/25)
-- Ag Policy Blog: "USDA's Rollins Champions Small Farmer Plan, Ag Labor Fix and Banning Soda in SNAP," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (5/19/25)
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FARM FAMILY BUSINESS COLUMNS
-- Family Business Matters: "How You Can Become the Employer of Choice," https://www.dtnpf.com/… (7/7/25)
Check out past columns by DTN Farm Business Adviser Lance Woodbury for tips related to family relationships, succession and other ag labor-related topics.
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