Legislature

Farm Labor Wage Changes Coming to H-2A

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) new interim final rule (IFR) for H-2A guestworker Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) makes significant changes to the wage calculation for farm laborers nationwide. Eagerly awaited by H-2A employers after the recent cancellation of the Farm Labor Survey (FLS) and litigation challenging other DOL rules, the IFR went into effect as soon as it was posted to the Federal Register on Oct. 2.

Utilizing data from Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), H-2A employers will now pay wages based on tiers of job experience requirements and receive adjustments to offset the nonwage costs of the H-2A program, lowering employment costs for nearly all H-2A workers. However, the rule leaves some unanswered questions about how employers will implement the changes across the country.

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What the AEWR Ruling Means for Ag Employers

Michael Marsh, president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, explains what this ruling means for fresh produce industry businesses. Read More Here

Public Policy Over $300K of Specialty Crop Block Grants to Watermelons

Exciting news from the USDA. They’ve just unveiled a substantial investment of $72.9 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants, supporting 586 innovative projects across 56 states and territories. Among these, over $300k is earmarked specifically for the watermelon industry, underscoring its vital role in our economy and our health. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is instrumental in boosting the competitiveness of specialty crops through essential initiatives focused on marketing, education, and research.

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Watermelon Promotions

Georgia Watermelon Association’s purpose is watermelon promotion from production to consumption. Promotions can vary from our watermelon queens making appearances and talking at functions, to providing informative links about watermelon and the watermelon industry and sharing interesting watermelon recipes with all of our fans.

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2026 GWA Brand Ambassador

The Georgia Watermelon Brand Ambassador is a trained public relations representative for the watermelon industry both regionally and nationally. Each year she spends the year traveling to throughout Georgia and the United States, talking to people in supermarkets, schools, festivals, athletic events about the nutritional benefits and economical values of watermelon.