Senators debate introducing AgJOBS legislation
The reintroduction of AgJOBS as a separate immigration bill was debated on the Senate floor July 26. The entire debate has been posted on the ANLA Web site. This year American agriculture is looking at underemployment of 35%, which account for losses of $5 billion-$6 billion for American farms, said Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho. "Help us a little bit and reinstate a guest-worker program with border security. Give us a 5-year pilot temporary program to solve a near-disastrous problem for American agriculture," Craig said. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said AgJOBS, which would reform the H-2A program, has widespread support. "Isn't it so that instead of being a contentious matter, AgJOBS has had strong support, not only in the Senate but all over the country? Isn't it true that AgJOBS is supported not only by the owners of the ranches and farms but also supported by all the unions and the labor people? And isn't that a reason to pull together, to unite? Isn't it so that it pulls together Republicans and Democrats?"
Arizona passes tough employee-verification laws
Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, Arizona employers must verify their employees are "present in the country legally." Businesses caught employing an illegal workforce face suspensions of their business licenses. A second offense may result in the "business death penalty" — permanent revocation of an employer's licenses to do business in the state. "The Arizona legislation is some of the most far-reaching and troubling state legislation yet," said Craig Regelbrugge, ANLA v.p. of gov't. relations. "It essentially mandates electronic eligibility verification while doing nothing to provide access to a legal workforce. If implemented as written, Arizona green-industry employers will face this Hobson's choice: Fire much of your workforce, or put your head in the sand and face losing your business license." Gov. Janet Napolitano may call a special session of the Legislature to amend the new law.
IR-4 survey will show nursery grower needs
The IR-4 Ornamental Hort. Program launched its 2007 online grower survey. The survey is designed to help IR-4 identify the biggest insect, disease and weed problems facing nursery and greenhouse growers. Information from the survey will be used to help ensure research is focused on the worst problems, and that new pesticide products can be registered to combat them.
Consumers: Businesses must preserve environment
A survey conducted by Cone Consumer Environmental Survey showed that America is becoming more environmentally conscious. The May poll showed that 88% of consumers are as or more interested in the environment as they were a year ago. An overwhelming 93% believe American businesses have an obligation to preserve the environment. Environmentalism is also driving purchases. CCES reported 63% of consumers would pay more for environmentally friendly products that are "readily available" where they shop, and 72% would pay more if those products would save them money long term. More information is available through Garden Media Group.
Worth a visit
The nursery business deserves its own action/adventure serial, "The Great Nursery Adventure: A Year in the Life of Greene Family Nursery." This month, the family faces a serious chemical spill. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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Syngenta remains committed to investing in every aspect of our ornamental business to bring value to growers for producing beautifully strong plants.
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