News For Specialty Crop Farmers, Updates From AFVGA

News for Specialty Crop Growers

Save the Date for AFVGA Conference

The 2027 Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference & Trade Show is Feb. 3-5 in Gulf Shores at The Lodge at Gulf State Park.

This year's theme, "Built for the Challenge," is a testament to Alabama fruit and vegetable growers' character and adaptability, said AFVGA Executive Director Blake Thaxton.

"We are still centering the theme around football since the conference falls near the Super Bowl,” Thaxton said. “We recognize it's a difficult time for farmers, but we know our growers are made for this and are more than ready for the challenge of building the industry together as a team."

Join AFVGA in February to learn, connect and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

Registration opens in November at AFVGA.org.

Nominate Farmers for AFVGA Awards, Apply for Innovation Challenge

The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) is seeking nominations for its annual awards program, while accepting applications for its innovation contest — the Grow Forward Award.

Applications are due Nov. 1. Winners will be honored in February during the AFVGA Annual Conference in Gulf Shores. Learn more.

Annual awards include:

AFVGA Partner of the Year
AFVGA Service to Horticulture
AFVGA Exceptional Achievement Award

The AFVGA Grow Forward Award, sponsored by First South Farm Credit, honors Alabama fruit and vegetable growers who are shaping the future of specialty crop production through bold ideas, strategic thinking and strong leadership.

Competition finalists will present their farm story and ideas for industry growth to a panel of expert judges during the AFVGA Annual Conference. Finalists will be selected based on scored applications. Participants will be evaluated on strength of vision, execution and potential for positive change. The winner will receive $5,000.

View award applications.

Specialty Crop Farmers Gather in Cullman

The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association hosted a regional meeting June 25 at J. Calvert Farms in Cullman.

A host of speciality crop producers gathered to network and learn from fellow farmers. The evening included a farm tour, lead by Jeremy and Julie Calvert. Alabama Farmers Cooperative sponsored the event.

Ag Labor Updates for Alabama

Guest Worker Wage Rate Ticks Up

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the new Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the H-2A program Aug. 3.

For Alabama, the published AEWR increased to $10.61 per hour for Skill Level I and $14.80 per hour for Skill Level II. These rates reflect the adverse compensation adjustment for housing and other employer costs, which is $1.24 per hour.

DOL Ag Labor Town Hall Is Aug. 25

The U.S. Department of Labor will host a Southeast Region Agricultural Labor Town Hall Aug. 25 from 3-4 p.m.

The free event will be offered virtually and in person in Tifton, Georgia. Representatives from Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Wage and Hour Division, and the Employment and Training Administration will answer questions and provide information on H-2A, farm labor, compliance practices, workplace safety and other agricultural labor topics.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions through the registration form by Aug. 18. In-person seating is limited, and advance registration is required.

Hunter Represents Alabama During Labor Fly-In

Alabama nurseryman Phillip Hunter underscored the importance of ag labor reform during a fly-in to Washington, D.C., earlier this summer.

His visit overlapped with a critical milestone as U.S. Rep. G.T. Thompson, R-Pa., introduced the most comprehensive ag labor reform legislation in nearly four decades.

Thompson’s Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would make important strides in controlling unpredictable labor-related costs, modernizing an antiquated visa program and enhancing access for agricultural sectors that previously could not participate in the program, such as dairy.

The legislation has garnered bipartisan support. Co-sponsors include U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, and Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham.

A national authority on ag labor, Hunter operates an ornamental tree nursery in Alpine with his brother, Will. Hunter chairs the American Farm Bureau Federation Ag Labor Issue Advisory Committee and is the Shelby County Farmers Federation president. He also serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation board, representing farmers in District 6.

The Time is Now to Secure Ag Workforce

Op-Ed By Phillip Hunter

July 22, 2026

For over 40 years, Congress has ignored immigration reform, creating a labor crisis for agriculture while fueling illegal border crossings.

Now, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, has joined House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson to bring stability and accountability to farm labor through the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA).

This legislation strengthens the H-2A agricultural guestworker program by codifying Adverse Effect Wage Rate formulas issued by the Trump administration’s Department of Labor last year, allowing non-seasonal operations such as dairy farms to utilize temporary workers, while helping farm laborers stay rooted in their home countries. These are critical needs for the sustainability of American agriculture.

Food security is national security. A country that can’t feed, clothe and provide shelter for its citizens risks losing independence. The SAWA is a major step toward ensuring American farmers can continue providing the safest, most affordable supply of food and fiber in the world.

The proposed legislation is supported by over 30 farm organizations and businesses representing Alabama farmers, including the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.

We applaud Thompson for introducing the SAWA and thank Rogers for his support. My family’s tree nursery is one of several farms in Congressional District 3 that rely on H-2A workers. Rogers understands the importance of guestworkers to Alabama agriculture and the local economy. We appreciate him co-sponsoring this legislation and ask the rest of Alabama’s delegation to join him.

Alabama farmers are encouraged to contact their Congressman and ask them to support SAWA.