U.S. Department of Agriculture in Georgia to Host Webinar on Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program

355 E Hancock Avenue
STOP 100
Athens, GA 30601

Contact: Jay Ivey
Jay.Ivey@usda.gov
706-510-5318

ATHENS, Ga., Nov. 30, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) invites Georgia agricultural employers, producers, and stakeholders to attend a webinar on the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP). FSA State Executive Director Arthur Tripp, FSA staff, and representatives from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will provide an overview and take questions regarding this grant opportunity, which is designed to improve the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain by addressing workforce challenges farmers and ranchers face. The virtual meeting is free and open to the public and will take place on Dec. 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Those who plan to attend should email GAOutreach@usda.gov to request the webinar link.   

“FLSP will help address workforce needs in agriculture, promote a safe and healthy work environment for farmworkers, and aims to support expansion of lawful migration pathways for workers through the Department of Labor’s seasonal H-2A visa program,” said Tripp. “Through this webinar, we will equip agricultural employers with the information and tools they need to understand and apply for this funding opportunity.” 

Eligibility for this competitive grant program is limited to domestic agricultural employers who 1) anticipate meeting all Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulatory requirements for the H-2A program, including demonstrated effort to effectively recruit U.S.-based workers and hire all willing, able, and qualified U.S. workers; and 2) commit to, and indicate capacity to fulfill all Baseline Requirements, as well as any selected (supplemental) commitments that entail additive worker benefits and protections. Eligible employers include fixed-site employers, joint-employers, agricultural associations, and H-2A labor contractors.    

The maximum award amount is $2,000,000 and the minimum amount is $25,000 per grant agreement (including any sub-awardees). Award amounts will be determined based on the projected number of full-time equivalent (FTE) agricultural employees, desired award level, as well as the competitive nature of the application. Consistent with the H-2A requirements, applicants must demonstrate insufficient availability of a U.S.-based workforce. The grant window for each recipient is 24 months, allowing producers to use the grant over the course of two agricultural production seasons.     

Applications for the FLSP program must be received on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time on January 3, 2024. More information about the application process can be found here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/flsp.     

This program announcement is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda to grow the American economy from the middle out and bottom up by rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs, and building a clean energy economy to tackle the climate crisis and make our communities more resilient. 

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in the webinar on Dec. 5, should contact Haylie Haynes at (706) 552-2506 or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.