H-2A Program
The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. Employment is of a seasonal nature where it is tied to a certain time of year by an event or pattern, such as a short annual growing cycle, and requires labor levels above what is necessary for ongoing operations. Employment is of a temporary nature when the employer's need to fill the position with a temporary worker will, except in extraordinary circumstances, last no longer than one year.
Information on the Use of the H-2A Program
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification is making available program factsheets displaying key selected statistics about each of our major immigration programs. These factsheets include cumulative information and are updated on a quarterly basis.
FY 2023, Quarter 4
Previous Years can be found at this link (scroll to the bottom of the page).
Resources for those considering or already participating in the H-2A Program:
DOL: H-2A Program
Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) System
- User Guides
- Video Tutorials
Farm Labor Practices Group
Tips for Getting the H-2A Process Started Right
Labor Management Webinar March 2024
2023 H-2A AEWR Final Rule
Shane Barbour, H-2A Program Director
Office of Foreign Labor Certification
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Katharine Stout, H-2A Certifying Officer
Office of Foreign Labor Certification
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
- H-2A Agricultural Worker Program Adverse Effect Wage, March 21, 2024 Video
- H-2A Agricultural Worker Program Adverse Effect Wage, March 21, 2024.pdf
H-2A Agricultural Worker Program Presentation February 2024
Brian Pasternak, Administrator
Office of Foreign Labor Certification
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
For more information click on the Frequently Asked Questions:
- March 9, 2023: USDOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification H-2A AWER Final Rule FAQ
- July 11, 2023: USDOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification H-2A AWER Final Rule FAQ
Information on the H-2A AEWR Final Rule and "Big 6"
The most common agricultural occupations, known as the "Big 6" will have a single statewide AEWR.
|
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse Workers |
|
|
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals |
|
|
Agricultural Equipment Operators |
|
|
Packers and Packagers, by Hand |
|
|
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products |
|
|
All Other Agricultural Workers |
The overwhelming majority of workers will fall into this category, AEWR published in January of each year.
From left to right: Miguel Perez, US DOL WH NC CORPS; Drew Long, NC Department of Commerce State Workforce Agency Program Director; Brian Pasternak, Administrator Office of Foreign Labor Certification Employment and Training Administration US DOL; and Richard Blaylock, US DOL WH NC District Director. (February 2024, Southern Farm Show, Raleigh, NC)
Contact information:
Georgia Office of Foreign Labor Certification
Rossany Rios, Director of Grants and Strategic Populations
Office of Workforce Development
Office Phone: 404.679.5446
Email: rrios@tcsg.edu
Website: TCSG.edu/Workforce
Georgia Office of Workforce Development
Felipe Pacheco, State Monitor Advocate
Office Phone: 770-202-5585
Email: fpacheco@tcsg.edu
Kentucky Office of Employment & Training
Vacant, State Monitor Advocate
Phone:
Email:
North Carolina Department of Commerce – Agricultural Services
Drew Long, FLC and State Workforce Agency (SWA) Program Director
Phone: (919) 210-3644
Email: drew.long@commerce.nc.gov
North Carolina State Monitor Advocate
Guillermo Fernandez, State Monitor Advocate
Office Phone: (910) 592-5756
Cell Phone: (704) 880-8651
Email: guillermo.fernandez@commerce.nc.gov
South Carolina Office of Foreign Labor Certification
Richard Shobe
Phone: 803-737-1649
Email: rpshobe@dew.sc.gov
South Carolina State Workforce Agency (SWA)
Diana Goldwire
Phone: 864-315-9751
Email: dgoldwire@dew.sc.gov
South Carolina State Agriculture Monitor
Abdalis Toro, State Agriculture Monitor
Phone: 803-737-253
Email: atoro@dew.sc.gov
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Lance Butler, State Monitor Advocate
Office Phone: (615) 741-5671
Email: Lance.Butler@tn.gov
Virginia Foreign Labor Certification
Cindy Webb, Program Manager
Cell: (540) 431-9296
Email: Cynthia.webb@vec.virginia.gov
Virginia State Monitor Advocate
Michelle Castelloe Abraham, State Monitor Advocate
Cell: (804) 786-6094
Email: Carolyn.abraham@vec.virginia.gov
