American Farm Bureau Video Highlights Labor Struggle During Peach Harvest
July 10, 2016 A new video produced by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) shines a spotlight on the frustrations of the nation’s farmers in finding workers to harvest their crops. While the video highlights peach production in Georgia, it also outlines the scope of the farm labor problem across the U.S.
Hiring a seasonal skilled workforce to bring crops in from the fields to America’s tables has proved to be difficult if not impossible for growers. That’s why many growers rely heavily on H-2A, through which the federal government grants foreign nationals short-term visas to help harvest crops.
“This is a serious issue for farmers across America,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “If you have a crop that’s ready and your harvest window is narrow and your workers show up late – you’re going to lose your crop.”
“We’re going to have to make a choice,” Duvall added. “We either have to import our labor – workers to harvest our crops – or we’ll have to import our food.”
An informal survey of state Farm Bureaus revealed that farmers in at least 22 states using the H-2A program have been affected by administrative delays that have caused workers to arrive days and even weeks late – leading to a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other crops rotting in the field.
“It could cost us our farm in one season,” Robert Dickey, a Georgia peach grower, said.
Farm Bureau is calling for Congress to pass responsible immigration reform that provides growers’ access to a legal and stable workforce.
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