A Soto Southern Ag, Inc. (Petition 1) — Agricultural Employer

Employer Background

Employment records maintained by federal agencies include A Soto Southern Ag, Inc. (Petition 1), an agricultural employer located in Immokalee, Florida. Documented job orders reflect Farmworkers and Laborers placements in KAUAI COUNTY County, Hawaii. Employers in the agricultural sector are required to file detailed job orders disclosing wage rates, employment periods, and the nature of the work to be performed. Certification records associated with A Soto Southern Ag, Inc. (Petition 1) reference 14 workers in this classification.

Records describe the work associated with A Soto Southern Ag, Inc. (Petition 1) as falling under the Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse occupational classification. This encompasses a broad range of farm-related tasks common to agricultural operations in the region. The documented work period of April through December — approximately approximately 8 months — reflects the agricultural cycle characteristic of Hawaii.

Job orders filed by A Soto Southern Ag, Inc. (Petition 1) document a wage rate of $16.00 / hour for these Farmworkers and Laborers positions. Employer-provided housing and transportation were listed as part of the compensation package, consistent with federal requirements governing this type of agricultural employment certification. The type of housing noted in the records is Employer. Meals were also documented as provided.

KAUAI COUNTY County, Hawaii is the documented worksite area for job orders associated with A Soto Southern Ag, Inc. (Petition 1). Agricultural activity in this area contributes to Hawaii's role as a significant food and farming producer. The state's agricultural sector encompasses a wide range of operations, from crop production and livestock management to processing and related activities. The employer's principal address on file is in Immokalee, Florida.

The H2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, allows U.S. agricultural employers to bring temporary foreign workers into the country when sufficient domestic labor is not available for the positions described. Employers certified under the program are required to meet specific obligations, including providing free housing and transportation to and from the worksite, paying at least the Adverse Effect Wage Rate established for the relevant state, and guaranteeing workers at least three-quarters of the hours listed in the job order. These protections apply to all workers covered under an H2A certification.

Job orders filed by A Soto Southern Ag, Inc. (Petition 1) included documented qualifications for applicants. The listed requirements noted an education level of None or equivalent and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. These reflect the physical demands and qualifications typically associated with Farmworkers and Laborers work in the agricultural sector.