Apple growers and other agricultural producers are in a real crisis situation. The labor supply that we depend on to get our crops harvested and packed, as well as our trees pruned, is in jeopardy. A bill has been introduced in the House and Senate to reform the current H2A labor program, as well as provide a means for those already working here to continue their agricultural work.
The bipartisan bill is called the AgJOBS bill and it has the support of over 800 grower, labor, and faith-based organizations. It is the result of 5 years of compromise. With a tenuous labor supply, my business, as well as others in our industry, will be unsustainable. Immigration reform is scheduled to be debated in the Senate during the last 2 weeks of May, It is imperative to our industry that this gets passed. US Apple, along with dozens of other agriculture organizations, is working extremely hard to lobby the Senate and House of Representatives to pass this bill. As members of this industry, your support will make a difference. The attached link will take you directly to the US Apple website, where it is quite simple to send e-mails to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to vote in favor of AgJobs. The letters only take moments to generate, as the templates are all set up. This website (www.USApple.org) also has a wealth of other resources, including a detailed explanation of the bill, media information, etc. Pass this information along to your colleagues and friends. Send emails to your Congressmen and Senators. Many apple growers have been told by their legislators that they have heard volumes from people opposing guest worker programs and work authorization for the illegals here. They are counting emails and wonder why we are not responding. If you believe we are on the verge of losing fruit due to lack of labor, PLEASE RESPOND! The upcoming week is a perfect time for our industry to be heard. We can't afford to miss it. Respectfully, Phil Glaize Grower/Packer/Shipper Winchester, Va.
