**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** KEY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN U.S. LABOR MARKETS --INCLUDING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE PASSAGE OF THE FARM WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2019 IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-- HIGHLIGHT HOW SHOCKS TO THE MIGRANT LABOR SUPPLY CAN RISK THE VIABILITY OF FARM OPERATIONS. EVEN PRIOR TO THE RECENT UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS, THE NUMBER OF LEGAL DOMESTIC WORKERS WILLING TO DO AGRICULTURAL WORK HAS BEEN SHRINKING. A DIMINISHING SUPPLY OF BOTH EXISTING AND NEWCOMER MIGRANT WORKERS COUPLED WITH MORE AGGRESSIVE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT HAS PUSHED GROWERS TO RECRUIT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL GUEST WORKERS THROUGH THE H-2A VISA PROGRAM.ADOPTION OF THE H-2A PROGRAM HAS INTENSIFIED OVER TIME AMONG LARGER-SIZED FARMS. HOWEVER, ADDITIONAL COSTS AND COMPLEX REGULATIONS OF THE H-2A PROGRAM AS WELL AS THE UNCERTAINTY INVOLVED WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED GROWERS TO EVALUATE THE OPTION OF HIRING GUEST WORKERS AND GAUGE THE VIABILITY OF THIS ALTERNATIVE LABOR POOL FOR THEIR OPERATIONS. THE GOAL OF THIS PROPOSAL IS TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE THE LABOR AND BUSINESS OPERATIONAL RISKS (LABOR) ASSESSMENT SOFTWARE, A NEW DECISION-MAKING TOOL, ALONG WITH EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR FARM-SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT OF RISKS AND RETURNS ASSOCIATED WITH HIRING H-2A WORKERS VERSUS DOMESTIC WORKERS GIVEN THE CHANGING LABOR MARKET AND IMMIGRATION POLICY CONDITIONS. THE PROJECT ADDRESSES PROGRAM AREA A1601 PRIORITIES BY DEVELOPING A NEW LABOR RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL TO ASSIST PRODUCERS IN MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT LABOR MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES THAT WILL ENHANCE THE VIABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF U.S. SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS.