Today’s Harvest Blog

On October 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a new Interim Final Rule (IFR) that significantly revises how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are calculated for H-2A guestworkers. AEWRs set the minimum hourly wages that must be paid to H-2A workers and those in corresponding employment. This rule introduces major changes affecting wage structures across Farm Credit East’s eight-state region, with important implications for farm operations and labor management.

Each year, your perennial crop insurance policy will renew by November 20. It is important to meet with your agent each year, prior to this date, to ensure accuracy and alignment in your risk management goals.  

2025 marks the International Year of Cooperatives. Additionally, each October is observed as the national Co-Op month to recognize the value of people-centered businesses. Farm Credit East is proud to be a cooperative, collectively owned and operated by its customers. This cooperative ownership means customers have a voice in their cooperative through a customer-elected board of directors who are also customer owners. 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time when organizations across the country come together to promote safer online practices. At Farm Credit East, we take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to protecting your financial information and to highlight one of the most important tools available to do that: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).