An ag labor specialist says a new streamlined process for the H-2A guestworker program could help lower the wage rate for farms in 2026.
Margaret Jodlowski with Ohio State University says employers will pay wages based on tiers of job experience.
“It’s going to relieve a little bit of that burden in terms of the wage bill,” she says. “It also includes some provisions that will count housing as part of the wage. Every state is projected to get an Adverse Effect Wage Rate that is lower in 2026 than it was in 2025.”
She tells Brownfield the adjustments bring much needed relief to the ag industry, but, “Any time there’s a change or a new implementation, it’s going to cause delays. This is going to continue to be a problem as use of the program increases and government agencies aren’t fully staffed yet.”
Jodlowski says a long-term farm labor solution will continue to be a top priority in the new year.
