FFVA supports discontinuation of USDA’s Farm Labor Survey

Sept. 3, 2025 — Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the discontinuation of the Farm Labor Survey (FLS).

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association BB #:153753 issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

“The Department of Agriculture’s decision to discontinue the Farm Labor Survey (FLS) is a significant advancement toward meaningful relief for Florida’s specialty crop growers,” said Jamie Fussell, director of labor relations for FFVA.

“For years, FFVA and its members have objected to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) reliance on the FLS to set the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which has artificially inflated the AEWR beyond market realities and strained growers, pushing some to leave the industry. We applaud Secretary Rollins’ leadership and recognition of the urgent labor crisis facing agriculture. We urge the DOL to take the critical next steps of fundamentally reassessing what constitutes adverse effect and implementing a lasting solution that allows growers to continue farming in this modern era of agriculture.”