Proposed Adverse Effect Wage Rates Announced
Dr. Bonalyn Nelsen, Business Management Specialist
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
On November 20, 2024, the U.S.D.A.'s Farm Labor Survey was released with the new Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for 2025. The rates in nearly every state saw year over year increases, while Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin saw modest wage rate decreases. New rates are expected to go into effect on January 1, 2025, for all states except Alaska. The 2025 AEWR for New York and selected fruit-producing states are listed below.
2025YoY AEWR Change for Select Fruit-producing States (in dollars)
State 2024 AEWR 2025 AEWR Change (YoY)
California 19.75 19.97 +.22
Michigan 18.50 18.15 -.35
New York 17.80 18.83 +1.03
Pennsylvania 17.20 17.96 +.76
Virginia 15.81 16.16 +.35
Washington 19.25 19.82 +.57
The AEWR is determined using the U.S.D.A. Farm Labor Survey (FLS), a survey distributed to farmers and ranchers in 18 regions in the U.S. (excluding Alaska). This survey is intended to prevent wages from being depressed by the employment of temporary, seasonal (H-2A) farmworkers in addition to domestic farmworkers. The survey asks employers to report (1) total gross earnings paid during specified reference weeks (in January, April, July and October) and (2) total hours worked during the reference week. Dividing total gross farmworker earnings (#1) by total hours worked (#2) produces an hourly wage estimate, from which the AEWR is calculated using a weighted average.
New York State's AEWR has risen $ 7.57 between 2015-2025. A number of factors may have caused the AEWR to rise, including supply and demand pressures, low response rates to the FLS, and the possibility that respondents did not fill surveys out correctly. If you're asked to complete the FLS, it's important to follow instructions closely to avoid incorrectly reporting gross worker earnings and total hours worked; doing so can cause the AEWR to rise above local labor market wage rates.
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
Cornell and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours (Attendees)
July 28 - July 29, 2026 : Cornell Research and Lab Testing Updates and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours
Ithaca, NY
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Join Cornell & the New York Cider Association for:
July 28 (PM) Tours and Updates on Cornell Research and Lab Testing at both Cornell Orchards in Ithaca and Lansing. There is are snack options at South Hill Cidery (attendees pay)
July 29 (all Day) - Annual New York Cider Summer Tour at about 5 cideries, including lunch at Finger Lakes Cider House (included in registration) . Also includes bus for the first 30 registrants.
There is a discounted hotel block at the Courtyard by Marriott Ithaca Airport/University for 169.00 USD - 179.00 USD per night
Last Day to Book : Sunday, July 12, 2026
Start Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
End Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
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2026 Apple Socials
July 17, 2026 : Orleans County - Apple Social
Lyndonville, NY
Apple Socials Return for a Third Year, proudly sponsored by Valent and American Fruit Grower magazine.
July 29, 2026 : Wayne County - Apple Social
Williamson, NY
Please join us at this casual networking event for all apple industry folks from Western NY, proudly sponsored by Valent.
Cornell Fruit Field Day
July 30, 2026
Geneva, NY
Join Cornell researchers in Geneva for Fruit Field Day, returning after 10 years, to tour research plots, learn from experts—including Dr. Terence Robinson with 40+ years in tree fruit research—and explore the latest orchard technologies and practices. At the catered lunch, network with industry, and visit sponsor displays and equipment. Our keynote speaker is Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball. DEC credits available.