Communications

The rapidly evolving legal situation surrounding the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate continues to be a critical issue for agricultural employers, and the NWA is closely monitoring all developments. Following the latest court action, the Department of Labor has begun formally notifying employers of a potential backpay period. The current AEWRs remain in effect, and…

Women with strong ties to the NWA are being honored by Syngenta Vegetable Seeds as part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026. The National Watermelon Queen Katelyn Lindsay; Kerri Lee Wiggins, NWA’s Promotions Coordinator and a member through Wiggins Farms; Megan McKenna of the National Watermelon Promotion Board and Carrie Thomas of…

The NWA is closely monitoring  developments following the recent federal court decision affecting the Department of Labor’s current Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) methodology.The key point for employers is clear: the existing AEWRs remain in effect, and employers have not been directed to take any action. DOL is expected to issue additional guidance, including information…

Agricultural employers should exercise caution with signatures on Form I-129 following reports of recent USCIS denials when signatures appeared to be electronically applied, copied, or reused from previous filings. Our recommendation: get a new, original wet signature for each application and avoid reused or digital signatures. Employers have also reported success using fresh signatures less…

With Congress home for the August recess, this is an important window for growers and industry leaders to make their voices heard before lawmakers return to Washington in September. The National Watermelon Association has joined more than 450 organizations in supporting H.R. 9535, the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA), legislation aimed at bringing practical, much-needed…

The NWA has received reports from members of scammers impersonating legitimate produce buyers and attempting to pick up loads of watermelons without payment. These scammers may use the names of real companies with good credit, making these schemes difficult to identify.When dealing with a new or unfamiliar buyer, please keep the following points in mind:…

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the 2026 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR), with the new rates taking effect immediately in most states. For states not covered by the ongoing Farmworker Protection Rule litigation, the new rates became effective on August 3. However, for several watermelon-producing states—including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri,…

In the inaugural episode of Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast, host George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association, welcomes Dr. Nathan Boyd, professor and weed science specialist at the University of Florida, to discuss how artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer vision are transforming weed management in watermelon production. Dr. Boyd shares how…