November/December 2024 - 6

LABOR
2024
LABOR SURVEY
Tree nut growers provide thoughts on
automation, wage requirements and more
BY DEBBIE EISELE
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
ompared to some other agricultural sectors, U.S.
tree nut growers are not experiencing the same labor
shortages that other farmers are dealing with, and
that is a positive for the industry.
During the summer, National Nut Grower conducted a
labor survey with growers of almonds, pecans, pistachios,
hazelnuts and walnuts. Of those surveyed, a majority (80%)
noted other crops are also grown, which included tree fruits
(12%) and vegetables (10%), with many mentioning alfalfa, hay
and wheat.
The survey responses indicated 76% of tree nut growers
reported having enough labor in 2023, while 24% did
not. These results, compared to other ag labor surveys
conducted this year by National Nut Grower's parent
company, Great American Media Services (GAMS), are
positive. For instance, the fruit and vegetable survey
conducted earlier this year by GAMS indicated that 46% of
growers surveyed experienced labor shortages.
The survey also pointed out that compared to other ag
segments, U.S. tree nut growers are not utilizing the H-2A
program as often as other farmers that GAMS surveyed. In
this survey, only 6% of those surveyed are using H-2A, while
in the fruit and vegetable farmers survey, 49% said H-2A was
being utilized.
The tree nut industry also differs from its ag counterparts in
that out of the 8% of growers using H-2A, 73% of respondents
said that they would not outsource the H-2A process.
In the tree nut sector, automation is key to crop
production and harvesting, and survey results indicated
that nearly half of the respondents would use automation to
combat labor shortfalls this year. Automation priorities were
water/irrigation management (48%) and harvesting (41%),
according to the survey.
C
Overall, the survey highlights concerns over increasing cost
of wages and finding skilled labor. Additionally, respondents
indicated several other challenges, including regulatory
pressures, housing for workers and labor reliability.
" Harder, manual labor is not easily employed in today's
day and age. You need high profit margins and a much larger
production to keep up with wages of the needed labor force.
This simply isn't possible for most farmers, growers and ag
producers, " said one survey respondent.
Another survey participant echoed concerns over wages,
saying the rise in wages is killing them. Other concerns
included the " new overtime laws in California that are
hurting us the most, " and: " Until the government shuts down
the programs for workers, and they have to find jobs, we are
just stuck. "
Overall, the majority of written responses indicated
concerns about the future of farming due to labor issues,
rising costs, regulatory burdens and smaller farms being
bought out by corporate entities.
KEY INSIGHTS ON NEW WAGE
REQUIREMENT IMPACTS
* The majority of responses indicated the H-2A
program is not being used currently, or the
changes have not affected respondents.
* For those affected, rising wages are a significant
concern, with some respondents highlighting
housing costs and compliance difficulties as
additional barriers.
6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
November/December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2024
