In today’s Ag News Roundup, Washington farmworkers to get overtime pay, respect for farming tops poll, gray wolf delisted, virtual reality being used to teach youth about agriculture, and several Washington ag businesses fined for volitions.
Washington Grants Farmworkers Overtime Pay
According to the Washington Farm Bureau, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in favor of farmworkers seeking overtime pay. The ruling means farmworkers will earn time-and-a-half pay for any hours beyond 40 per week.
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Poll Finds Farming Most Respected Profession in U.S.
According to a Gallup poll, farming and agriculture topped the business and industry sector ratings. This was the first time farming and agriculture took the top honors in the poll’s history.
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Gray Wolf Delisted
The gray wolf has been removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Specials Act. This will allow states to individually manage gray wolfs to protect livestock and the rights of landowners.
OSU Uses Virtual Reality to Teach Agriculture to Kids
In order to continue teaching middle and high school students in Oregon and Washington about careers in agriculture during the pandemic, Oregon State University’s Precollege Programs are using virtual reality and online courses. The program was made possible with a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Several Ag Businesses Fined for Violations
According to Pacific Northwest Ag Network, nearly two dozen ag-related businesses were fined by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for safety and health violations. It’s reported that many of those violations are COVID-19 related.
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