Apple farm highlights H2A hurdles and calls for unified digital process
Meeting labor needs is one of the biggest challenges in American agriculture. Rising production costs make dependable labor even more important for fruit and vegetable farms. In western North Carolina, an apple grower stresses that staffing shortages directly limit harvests and income.
Apples are still picked by hand. This grower’s operation produces about six and a half million pounds each year, and every bin depends on skilled workers in the orchard. There is no machine that can fully replace the careful hands required to harvest quality fruit on time. Like many specialty crop farms, labor is both labor intensive and time sensitive.
Securing that labor through the H2A visa program is often difficult. The grower suggests straightforward improvements. First, consolidate responsibility to one overseeing agency to reduce confusion and delays. Second, create a centralized digital system that is simple for farmers to use on their own. This would lessen the cost of hiring farm labor contractors and help keep applications moving. Today, multiple agencies and paper steps can slow approvals and leave crews in limbo when harvest windows are short.
The grower also encourages farmers to get involved in advocacy. Speaking up can be as simple as making calls while traveling, sending timely emails, attending meetings when possible, or supporting others who can appear in person. Farmers know the problems from daily experience. Lawmakers need to hear those facts clearly and consistently to craft workable solutions.
Improved H2A administration and stronger farmer engagement can stabilize labor, protect crops, and keep fresh produce flowing to markets. Learn more at fb.org/labor.