New Data Continues to Show Solid Growth in Farm Jobs in Early 2015 Despite Deepening Drought

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data today for the first 3 months of 2015.  As shown below, farm jobs are up about 10,000 (3%) from 2014, continuing a trend that began in 2010 despite the drought.

For a number of years, the largest growth in farm jobs has been in the winter months rather than the peak summer months.  It suggests there is some restructuring going on in the seasonal patterns of the labor market, probably caused by the increasing number of permanent crops.  It could also reflect a tighter labor market which makes employers (in all industries) less willing to layoff workers during slack times.