Concerns regarding H-2A: Cost and affordability Impact on profitability Decreased use of H-2A Regulatory burden Impact on crop production Concerns about future viability 7% 9% 10 20 30 40 50 * NOTE: These percentages provide an overview of the prevalent concerns and themes among the survey respondents regarding the effects of the legal process and new wage requirements on their use of the H-2A program. How growers plan to address labor shortages in 2024: Automation Growing less Other 26% 54% 46% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Other options: * Exploring alternative labor sources (2.56%) * Diversifying operations (2.56%) * Exiting business (7.69%) * Adjusting marketing strategies (5.13%) * Uncertain future or closing down (3.85%) * Extended working hours (3.85%) * Exploring government programs (8.97%) * Infrastructure Investment (2.56%) * Cost considerations for H-2A program (1.28%) * Adapting harvesting practices (1.28%) * Labor optimization and efficiency (3.85%) Fertilizing Harvesting Planting Scouting Spraying Water/irrigation Weed control Other 40% 64% 36% 11% 36% 42% 53% 20% 0 20 40 60 80 Percentages include responses that selected more than one option, as they were able to select all that applied. Other responses included pruning, grade line automation, processing lines and more. Types of automation growers are considering to combat labor shortages: 44% 21% 16% 15% Survey sponsored by www.maslabor.com VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 15http://www.maslabor.com