June 2024 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Labor headaches
continue, grower
survey shows
T
examines farm labor, and highlights the
survey of fruit and vegetable growers
across the U.S., which discussed ongoing
challenges and also strategies they're
considering to mitigate them.
This year's survey shows the deteriorating
state of labor. In this survey, less than half
(46%) of growers reported having enough
labor. This compares to the 2019 survey, when
54% reported adequate labor with 46% facing
shortages. That one statistic indicates a persistent struggle for growers
to meet specific labor needs.
The headaches in dealing with changing H-2A rules are taking a
toll on growers. The new H-2A legal process and escalating hourly
wages caused one grower to completely outsource their labor force
to handle recruitment.
" With increased wages and labor contractor fees, I have been forced
to reduce the quantity of my workforce, " the grower wrote. " A smaller
workforce means I have to manage harvest more efficiently and spend
more money to work overtime. Overall, the new wages and legal
process has significantly cut into my bottom line and margins. "
Read more insights from the survey on pages 10-15.
In this month's Ag Labor Review, page 30, Michael Marsh of the
National Council of Agricultural Employers writes about a recent trip
to Guatemala, where he got the opportunity to watch Guatemalans
interviewed for a 90-day contract to pick apples in Washington. None of
the workers had ever been to the U.S. They explained they would be able
to make more money in the contract job than they would be able to make
in 5 years in Guatemala.
Also, check out our new column, Fresh Views, which features articles
from Fruit + Vegetable of the 2023 40 Under Forty honorees. On page 24,
Valerie Ramsburg of Rice Fruit discusses how native plants encourage
local pollinators. Ramsburg writes about how native pollinators are a
sustainable supplement to the honeybee and can be supported through
growing indigenous species of plants.
EDITORIAL
ASSISTANT EDITOR
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Doug Ohlemeier, 616-520-2162
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Debbie Eisele, 616-520-2160
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ADVERTISING SALES
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he challenges of growers working to procure enough labor to
harvest their crops seems to be a never-ending concern.
In this issue, Fruit Growers News
Bobby Albino, 616-520-2146
balbino@fruitgrowersnews.com
Kim Meyers, 616-520-2137
kmeyers@greatamericanpublish.com
PRODUCTION
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Mike Biltonen
John Clark
Rob Crassweller
Wanda Heuser Gale
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Simon Huntley
Mark Longstroth
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JUNE 2024 | VOLUME 63 | ISSUE 6
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and
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constitute endorsement by Great American Media Services or Fruit
Doug Ohlemeier, Assistant Editor
Growers News of the advertiser, its products, or services. Great American
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4 | JUNE 2024
-Doug
June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2024
