USDA awards $50 Million to 141 recipients in 40 states

The USDA is awarding $50 million through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program) to 141 recipients in 40 states and Puerto Rico.

This initiative is aimed at benefiting 177 agricultural operations and over 11,000 workers, fortifying the U.S. food supply chain by addressing labor challenges, enhancing worker protections and expanding legal labor migration pathways.

“These awards will largely support small and mid-sized farms to ensure they can hire and retain the workers they need to be competitive in the market, while also lifting up rural communities across the country,” stated Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The FLSP Program, introduced in September 2023, was developed with input from immigration, labor and agricultural stakeholders. The grants will fund a variety of commitments to improve workers’ pay and working conditions, offer personal and paid sick time, establish collaborative working groups, and provide worker-friendly benefits like no-cost English classes and driver’s license training.

Additionally, the program promotes ethical recruitment practices and worker rights education, with a significant portion of awardees recruiting workers from Northern Central America via the H-2A visa program.