Trump Admin Revamps Farm Worker Wages, Boosting Georgia's Agriculture
The Trump administration has revised wage standards for immigrant farm workers in the U.S., aligning with long-standing desires of Georgia farm workers. The new rule, announced on Oct. 2, 2025, aims to stabilize wage rates and minimize industry disruptions by adopting a locally based wage calculation method for the H-2A program.
The Department of Labor's new rule uses state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data to set rates for H-2A visa workers. This approach is supported by the Trump administration's 2025 wage rate proposal and echoes the sentiments expressed by Georgia farm workers for years.
In recent years, several U.S. states have introduced legislative proposals to modify the H-2A visa program or create individual state visa programs. These efforts, seen in states like California, Florida, and North Carolina, reflect a growing recognition of the need to address agricultural labor shortages. A 2012 study in Georgia found labor shortages and negative economic effects on employers using H-2A workers, highlighting the importance of these changes.
Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, praised the administration's push for reform. Georgia farm associations celebrated the proposed changes to the H-2A program, which they believe will help address long-standing labor issues in the state's agricultural industry. The Georgia General Assembly's 2011 requirement for a study on labor in the state's agricultural industry further underscores the need for these changes.
The Trump administration's revision of wage standards for immigrant farm workers on Oct. 2, 2025, marks a significant step towards addressing labor shortages and stabilizing wage rates in the U.S. agricultural industry. While some organizations like the United Farm Workers express concern about potential wage cuts, the new rule is widely celebrated by Georgia farm associations as a much-needed reform.
