Editorial: Speak Out On E-Verify

In October, I attended United Fresh’s Washington Public Policy Conference in Washington, DC. As I participate in this conference annually, presenting American Vegetable Grower’s Grower Achievement Award (see page 43 for highlights from this year’s award presentation to TKM Bengard Farms), there are certain things you come to expect. For example, educational sessions hone in on the issues impacting growers, and breakfast and lunch meetings include speeches from several members of Congress, discussing their plans for the future — among other things. 

As part of this annual event, many of those attending participate in the march on Capitol Hill, taking the “messages” of the fresh produce industry to their members of Congress. This year, those messages included protecting the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program by maintaining funding in the 2012 Farm Bill, ensuring the Food Safety Modernization Act is implemented according to how Congress intended, and dealing with E-Verify, making sure a viable ag worker program is set up to meet the needs of growers.

E-Verify Was Top Of Mind
After talking with several attendees, however, it was clear that E-Verify was of paramount importance. Bob Morrissey, executive director of the National Watermelon Association, Inc., in Lakeland, FL, and Ted Campbell, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, both said that if E-Verify passes in its current state — without a provision for ag workers — it will be devastating to agriculture in the U.S.

In fact, Campbell said that if growers don’t have the labor to pick the crops, nothing else matters. We all know part of the reason the E-Verify legislation was introduced by Lamar Smith (R-TX) was to encourage unemployed Americans to take to the field and pick beans, etc. As growers, you know all too well that that simply won’t happen.

Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA), who also is aware that there are not enough Americans interested in working in the field, is pushing his proposal, the Legal Agricultural Workforce Act. What he suggested got shot down in committee in September, but there is still hope some type of amendment will be included to accommodate agricultural workers in the E-Verify legislation.

Feeding The Country

What it really comes down to is: Do we want to continue to be able to feed the people of our country as well those outside of the U.S.? If we do, then the battle must ensue to get a viable ag worker program as part of the legislation.

We’ve got Congressman Lungren in our corner. The question is: What are you doing to champion this cause? Now is the time to make sure your voice is heard on this subject. If you haven’t reached out those representing you in Washington, what are you waiting for?

While driving to work the other day, I saw a bumper sticker that said “No Farms, No Food.” It is that simple. To maintain farms, growers need a labor supply. If we don’t have a labor supply, the number of farms will diminish, as will our food supply.

Since we know what the end result will be without a viable ag worker program, we must pull out the stops to prevent this from happening. The ability to feed ourselves in the future depends on taking action — now.