Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 4) — Agricultural Employer

Employer Background

Employment records maintained by federal agencies include Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 4), an agricultural employer located in Okeechobee, Florida. Documented job orders reflect Farmworkers and Laborers placements in HARDEE COUNTY County, Florida. 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 Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 4) reference 197 workers in this classification.

The job orders associated with Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 4) describe work in the Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse classification, as defined by the Standard Occupational Classification system. This category encompasses a range of agricultural tasks tied to the specific crops, livestock, or farming operations prevalent in the region. The documented employment period for these positions ran from December through April, a span of approximately 4 months, consistent with seasonal agricultural patterns in Florida.

Available records show a wage of $14.00 / hour for Farmworkers and Laborers work filed by Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 4). 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.

HARDEE COUNTY County, Florida is the documented worksite area for job orders associated with Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 4). Agricultural activity in this area contributes to Florida'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 Okeechobee, Florida.

H2A program certification indicates that the U.S. Department of Labor has determined there are not enough available domestic workers to fill the positions described in the employer's job order, and that the employment of temporary agricultural workers will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. The program requires employers to cover housing, transportation between housing and the worksite, and all tools and equipment needed to perform the job. Workers are also entitled to workers' compensation coverage and must be paid at least the applicable Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the state.

Job orders filed by Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 4) included documented qualifications for applicants. The listed requirements noted an education level of None or equivalent and the ability to lift up to 80 pounds. These reflect the physical demands and qualifications typically associated with Farmworkers and Laborers work in the agricultural sector.