The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with other federal agencies, unveiled the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program), offering up to $65 million in grants to address workforce challenges faced by farmers and ranchers.
The program aims to meet current workforce needs in agriculture, establish a safe and healthy work environment for farmworkers, and facilitate the expansion of legal migration pathways for workers, including those from Northern Central America, through the Department of Labor’s seasonal H-2A visa program. The initiative fulfills a commitment outlined in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and is funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
The FLSP Program aligns with the following Administration priorities:
- Addressing Current Workforce Needs in Agriculture: Following stakeholder consultations, the USDA identified challenges faced by agricultural employers in securing an adequate workforce, jeopardizing domestic food supply. This pilot program aims to broaden the worker pool and enhance employers’ competitiveness by improving job quality.
- Reducing Irregular Migration: The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to expanding regular migration pathways, as stated in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. FLSP offers an opportunity to fulfill this commitment, providing economic benefits for foreign workers and their families and fostering professional and economic development in their communities through the H-2A program.
- Improving Working Conditions for Farmworkers: A stable food and agricultural sector relies on attracting skilled agricultural workers, necessitating robust working conditions. USDA’s pilot program will support efforts to enhance conditions for both U.S. and H-2A workers, ensuring they are aware of their rights and available resources and promoting fair and transparent recruitment practices.
Additional Information
Eligibility for this competitive grant program is limited to domestic agricultural employers who anticipate meeting all Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulatory requirements for the H-2A program. Eligible employers include fixed-site employers, joint-employers, agricultural associations, and H-2A labor contractors. The grant amount ranges from $25,000 to $2,000,000, based on the projected number of full-time equivalent (FTE) agricultural employees and other application specifics. The grant window spans 24 months, allowing recipients to utilize the grant over two agricultural production seasons.
Applications for the FLSP program must be submitted by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on November 28, 2023. Further details on the application process can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/flsp.
This announcement is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader Investing in America agenda, focusing on rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, creating well-paying jobs, and fostering a clean energy economy to combat climate change and enhance community resilience.
