By Jamie Martin
Agriculture depends on people. For specialty crops like apples, trained crews make the difference between a full packout and fruit left on the trees. A western North Carolina apple producer explains that the farm harvests roughly six and a half million pounds each year, and every load is picked by hand. Timely labor is essential because produce is both labor intensive and highly time sensitive.
The H2A visa program is designed to help farms fill seasonal jobs, yet the process can be complex. The grower recommends two practical fixes that would remove common bottlenecks. The first is giving a single agency clear responsibility for the program. One accountable home would simplify guidance, reduce conflicting instructions, and cut down on delays created when multiple agencies touch the same application.
The second is building a modern, centralized digital system that farmers can navigate with confidence. A clear portal would reduce errors, improve status tracking, and allow many producers to manage filings themselves. That would lower costs tied to outside contractors and help ensure workers arrive when orchards are ready.
Policy change works best when farmers speak up. The grower encourages producers to share real examples with elected leaders. Call during drive time, send short emails with exact impacts, attend meetings if schedules allow, or support peers who can testify. Consistent, respectful communication helps lawmakers understand what is at stake during a tight harvest window.
With streamlined H2A administration and steady farmer engagement, specialty crop farms can secure reliable labor, safeguard yields, and keep local economies strong. Additional resources are available at fb.org/labor.
Photo Credit:istock-rixipix
Categories: National