ATTENTION: Unemployment insurance weekly requirements have changed. For more information, click here.
AVISO: Los requisitos semanales del seguro de desempleo han cambiado. Para más información, haga clic aquí.

Know the laws governing farmworker minimum wages and rights. Certify your business to hire foreign temporary agriculture workers or register as a farm labor contractor that hires migrant or seasonal agriculture workers.

Minimum wage coverage

All farm labor contractors in Idaho must be licensed to hire migrant or seasonal agricultural workers, and minimum wage is required with a few exceptions.

Farmworkers must be paid at least the state minimum wage of $7.25 an hour with a few exceptions.

Farm labor contractors

Under the law, people performing farm labor contractor activities on behalf of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Idaho must:

  • Be licensed by the state and pay an annual licensing fee.
  • Post a surety bond to cover unpaid wages.
  • Carry auto insurance for all vehicles used in the farm labor contracting business.
  • Carry workers’ compensation coverage for all employees.
  • Provide all employees at the time of hiring full disclosure of the conditions of employment.

Certify temporary foreign agriculture workers

Agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers and plan to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. for temporary or seasonal agricultural labor must be certified to do so through the H-2A temporary agricultural program. 

While much of the process involves the employer working directly with federal agencies  ̶  see links below to learn about those  ̶  the Idaho Department of Labor assists by reviewing the application, conducting housing inspections and helping the employer recruit qualified domestic workers.

Idaho Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR)

Idaho Monthly AEWR For Herding

$1,986.76

H2-A and H2-B application process

Crystal Lowther
Phone: (208) 696-2517
crystal.lowther@labor.idaho.gov
Fax: (208) 947-0049
Idaho Department of Labor
317 W. Main St.
Boise Idaho 83735

H2-A survey inquiries

Les Smart
Phone: (208) 696-2244
les.smart@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho Department of Labor
317 W. Main St.
Boise, ID 83735

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