Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 5) — Agricultural Employer

Employer Background

According to publicly available employment records, Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 5) is an agricultural employer headquartered in Okeechobee, Florida. Federal documentation reflects job orders for Farmworkers and Laborers positions at worksites located in HARDEE COUNTY County, Florida. The agricultural employment sector is subject to federal and state labor regulations that govern wage rates, working hours, and employment conditions for workers in these roles. Certification records associated with Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 5) reference 91 workers in this classification.

According to the filed documentation, Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 5) has posted positions in the Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse category. Agricultural roles of this type involve hands-on work in field, farm, or production environments, with duties that vary by season and operational need. These job orders describe a seasonal employment period of January through May — roughly approximately 4 months of work aligned with the agricultural calendar of Florida.

Available records show a wage of $14.00 / hour for Farmworkers and Laborers work filed by Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 5). 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.

Worksite records for job orders filed by Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 5) identify HARDEE COUNTY County, Florida as the primary location for these placements. Florida is home to a diverse and substantial agricultural economy, with farming activity spanning numerous counties and varying across seasons and crop types. The employer's principal address on file is in Okeechobee, 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 Hays Harvesting, Inc. (Petition 5) 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.