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Spring cleaning and serving our members daily

As we continue to work diligently to bring you the most up to date information that we can during these uncertain times, we would like to share some of the things we are currently working on.  Spring cleaning is in the air at NWA with our database and items of interest in all of our communications and website.  Our goal is to make things simpler and readily available to our members.  Many things remain the same on our website – including grade standards, food safety guidance, numerous federal updates & initiatives (i.e. H2-A labor, stimulus, etc.), research data and more that help you in many different areas of your business.  Please let us know if you have experienced any issues or have concerns regarding your membership, logging into your account, or updates you would like to see added to our website.  Not yet a member?  Make today the day that you join our family! Attached is our new membership packet.  Or log onto www.watermelon.ag to join today!

Together we will shape the watermelon industry for future generations!
 

H2-A Workforce Disruption Caused by COVID-19

As you are aware, the NWA has been working with a number of other groups and our federal government on the visa process in Mexico to attain as many workers as possible.  We have been working with USDA, DOL, DHS, and the Dept. of State to try to limit the disruption in the H-2A workforce caused by COVID-19. The announcement is located HERE.

The State Department HAS AGREED to take additional steps to increase the processing of H-2A visa holders through consulates around the world.  This change due to COVID-19  will modify and expand the interview waiver eligibility toensure that the majority of H-2A processing can continue.  

Here are some preliminary details:

  • Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers to expand the categories of H-2 visa applicants whose applications can be adjudicated without an in-person interview.  
  • Consular officers can, if they so choose, now waive the visa interview requirement for first-time and returning H-2 applicants who have no potential ineligibility.   
  • This expansion also increases the period in which returning workers may qualify for an interview waiver.  Applicants whose previous visas expired in the last 48 months (increased from 12 months), and who did not require a waiver of ineligibility the last time they applied, do not need to be interviewed in-person if they are applying for the same visa classification as their previous visa.
  • We anticipate the vast majority of otherwise qualified H-2 applicants will now be adjudicated without an interview.

Attached you will find FAQs and a more complete summary.  Guidance can be found on https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-h2-visas.htm and is available at www.farmers.gov/manage/h2a.   Please note: these activities relate to US Consular activities.  Where other countries have travel restrictions or lock down policies in place, embassies generally operate by that local guidance.  This may impact the application of this guidance.  USDA encourages you to monitor the respective embassy’s webpage for most up to date information.

This news is exactly what the doctor ordered, and at a great time too.  There will be more details forthcoming (and some clarity too) in the next few days as we learn of the details and any other developments.

 

What To Do If H2-A Denials or Delays Occur

There are at least a few2 reasons why the possibility of H2-A contracts are not fulfilled on time, partially or at all.  The reasons vary from the lack of follow-ups, visa denials, improper paperwork, and more.   According to our friends in the industry that handle thousands upon thousands of H2-A workers and petitions annually, the typical time frame from the submission of petitions to the arrival time of workers is ‘normally’ two weeks.  If that time frame is delayed, what should you do.

Delays can be for a variety of reasons, while we wait for the arrival of needed workers to do the work at hand.  If a delay or lack of response occurs, we suggest that you follow the steps below:

  • SEND AN EMAIL to the NWA so that we can collect & document the issue.  We will disguise all names and details and only use the over-arching issue with Washington to try to improve the process.
  • IMMEDIATELY CONTACT YOUR U.S. House Representative ‘every time’ you have an issue with the H2-A program.  Your elected representative has direct contacts; they will open up a case to look into a solution for you; and they can help.       
  • Any issues with USCIS or other sources related to the U.S. Government:  log on to this LINK and report the issue to USDA.  USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue has set up the website to learn about issues related to worker needs, and to get involved to solve the issues.  
  • Additionally, you can send an email to [email protected]
 

Proof of Employment helps H2-A workers

With the recent and on-going developments resulting from the coronoavirus pandemic, the Mexican Consulate has only been allowing ‘returning workers’ into the country with approved worker visas.   However, with numerous law enforcement agencies watching border locations and states closer than normal due to the virus and the implications that have been the results, some workers have been approached or apprehended.  The way to minimize or eliminate that from occurring is to provide each worker with Proof of Employment.There have been a few reported cases of approved workers being stopped and questioned by U.S. authorities.  It is highly recommended that each worker (including green card holders) be provided PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT as farmworkers from the labor contractor or the employer.  Click below to access the recommended versions in English and Spanish languages. 

Also, a similar situation may be reasonably expected from truck drivers crossing the border.  Click below to access the recommended version in English and Spanish languages.

 

So Many Thanks to Offer

Words cannot express how grateful and blessed that we are from all of the support that was offered during the most recent national convention hosted by Disney at the Yacht & Beach Clubs Resort in Central Florida.  From start to finish the convention exceeded our expectations, with visits from the main Disney Cast (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald Duck and Cinderella), our military honorees (Major Ed Pulido, Kris Morgan & his service dog Andi, and Russell Previck), Jeremy James – our master of ceremonies, and the performance by repercussion was a show-stopper!  

Each and every year, our show - our success is due to the generosity of our sponsors that allow us to hold a convention such as we do.  Please …. When you come across them during the season, please extend a hand and thank them for their support.  They give us the ability to keep your registration fees at a produce industry low while we create a show (it’s not just a convention anymore) that attracts the largest attendance numbers that we have ever seen.  In fact, the convention at Disney World set an all-time attendance record of 611!    

Thanks to our exhibitors who enjoyed one of the best positions that we have ever had for the exhibit center.  Congratulations to all of the award winners and honorees.  And many thanks to the contributors to our philanthropy efforts with the Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, Florida) and the $100,000 military donation to the Warriors for Freedom and Folds of Honor Foundations.   

Certainly important to this effort, many thanks to our team of staff and volunteers for your excellent work.  It takes a small village to pull off all that we do to create a show that brings hundreds of people together each year.  Monica, Kelli, Tami, Eleanor, Kerri, Katie, Lori, Michelle, Linda, Rob, Rusty, Pam, our President (John Gee), our auctioneers (Ray & Jonah), Barbara, committee Chairs (John Lapide, Hami and Jordan), and more that I know chipped in – helped out – and deserve our thanks.  And finally, thank all of you that make the trip to attend our annual family reunion and make it as great as it was.  Enjoy the pictures HERE.  See you next February at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.    

 
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