On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division reported that it recovered unpaid wages from Lucky Growers Inc., an agricultural company that started in 2005 in the foothills of San Marcos, California, and expanded in 2016 to to include Girl & Dug Inc., which has locations in Portland, Oregon.
During the investigation, the DOL found that Lucky Growers Inc. violated agricultural compliance laws and federal laws by charging 30 farmworkers for lodging rent and forcing unsafe housing conditions that included mold, insects, rodent infestations, damaged buildings, poor lighting, missing doors, and propane tanks inside. The housing also lacked basic safety items like fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and first aid kits. Additionally, the investigation showed that Lucky Growers Inc. also failed to provide the workers with legally required information disclosures about their jobs and housing before hiring them.
As a result, the DOL reported that they were able to recover $171,400 in back wages to repay the farmworkers for illegal rent they were charged, and fined Lucky Growers Inc. $76,274 for violating the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.