A sizable portion of America’s largest farmers are unable to take advantage of many applications...
”Grow It Here” plans to host listening sessions and conversations with farmers and policymakers at events throughout the country in the coming months.
A new national coalition says it plans to amplify the impacts of ag labor shortages and the need for long-term farm workforce solutions.
Brandon Raso is a fourth-generation blueberry grower from New Jersey. “We’re all in different commodities,” he says. “We’re all in different states for the most part, and this problem echoes and radiates throughout the entire farming community in America.”
He says American farmers can’t compete with imported products in the current environment, and crops are going unharvested.
“Alls we’re asking is to be recognized that this crisis is real,” Raso shares. “It’s unfortunately too late for some farms, but the writings on the wall for those of us who are still in business.”
Tracy Vinz grows 100 acres of organic produce in central Wisconsin.
“Without the H-2A crew that we have, we wouldn’t be able to farm and, quite frankly, I wouldn’t want a farm,” she says. “My farm has been in my husband’s family for four generations. We struggle every day with, Are we going to be able to keep this going?”
Wisconsin dairy farmer John Rosenow milks 700 cows in Waumandee and says dairy is unfortunately excluded from the H-2A program.
“Right now, in Wisconsin, about 90 percent of the milk that’s harvested every day from the cows is harvested by immigrants,” he says. “Without these immigrants, we would struggle, well, we wouldn’t exist.”
Matt Teagarden with the Kansas Livestock Association says he’s hopeful there could be potential relief from the current administration. “The President has said multiple times here over the last several months that there’s need to address the ag workforce and some kind of work permit program in agriculture, and a couple of other industry segments,” he says. “I think that’s encouraging.”
Third-generation North Carolina apple grower Linda Pryor says the success of farms is deeply intertwined with farm workers and their well-being. “With farming, you’re spending extremely long days, usually having all three meals of the day together, so it’s much more of a family feel than an employee, an employer feel,” she explains. “I know that I have to have them. The success of my farm depends on them.”
"Grow it Here" advisor and former USDA & White House Trump administration ag labor advisor Kristi Boswell says significant reforms need to be led by the Department of Labor to improve the H-2A program and other regulations.
Research by Michigan State University finds that half of all farms can’t hire all the workers they want, with the average farm experiencing a 20 percent workforce deficit.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Advancing technology can often offset some of the demand for additional labor on the farm, but certainly not all of it. The need for immigration reform that allows farm workers of both a seasonal and full-time basis to enter the U.S. is reaching a fever pitch. Yes, the President has sealed the border from illegal crossing and deserves a great deal of credit, but now it is time to move forward with serious reform that fixes the ag labor shortages once and for all. Blueberry farmers, dairy farmers, fruit and vegetable farmers, etc. would be very grateful!
One thing is certain, without all the help they desire, keeping things operating smoothly and efficiently is paramount. That means keeping breakdowns and down time to a minimum. When it comes to trucks, they should consider the AGwagon®. The AGwagon® was designed by farmers and ranchers for farmers and ranchers, people who know what it takes to get the work done with a reliable truck.
