Historically, U.S. farm labor jobs have been primarily filled by immigrants. In fact, immigrants account for 17% of the total U.S. workforce, and 73% of the agricultural labor force annually.1

And yet, U.S. farmers and agribusinesses currently suffer from a shortage of these workers for multiple reasons.

For one, there’s a declining interest in agriculture work in younger generations. Immigrant parents often work the fields so their children can receive an American education and move onto higher paying jobs. Volatile commodity pricing and the physical rigors of the job have pushed even second generation Americans away from their family farms.

The pandemic hasn’t helped either. Many foreign workers who were expected to travel into the U.S. this season have yet to do so due to the pandemic. Experts say they will likely not return until there’s a vaccine, which at the earliest will be the following crop season.

Millions of pounds of produce at U.S. farms and agribusinesses are going unharvested as a result. Revenue losses are a real concern, and domestic consumers are now relying more on foreign grown fruits and vegetables which drives domestic farm costs up and freshness down.

The challenges of H-2A

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security H-2A Non-Immigrant Visa Program allows U.S. employers who meet specific requirements to bring foreign nationals into the U.S. to fill temporary agricultural jobs for up to three years at a time.

Great in theory, the H-2A program falls short in practice, as farmers criticize the program’s administration for its slow and inconsistent decision making and more. For one, compliance with the H-2A program requires U.S. farmers and agribusinesses to demonstrate there are not enough U.S. workers to do their jobs before they recruit over the border. This is often a vague and impossible task.

The program also requires them to provide housing for workers and federally mandated wages, while a significant amount of paperwork, are required by both the U.S. employer and the immigrant worker.

Many at the federal level understand these challenges. Some are trying to change the way things are done with the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Passed in the House of Representatives in 2019, the Act is currently in the Senate awaiting a vote. The bill includes reforms to streamline the H-2A immigrant worker program, including:

  1. 5-year renewable agricultural work visa
  2. A more streamlined H-2A petition process so farmers can get workers when they need them
  3. Single petition for staggered needs
    1. For example, if an employer needs five workers for tilling, another 1 for planting and another 10 for harvesting, the employer must currently file three separate petitions. The Act would allow employers to file one petition for all positions.
  4. The Secretaries of Agriculture and Labor would be able to increase visa caps if market conditions warrant

How farmers can improve recruitment and retention today

There are a number of strategies U.S. farmers and agribusinesses can implement as they await passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. It may even be possible to improve employee retention and ensure farm laborers continue to return next season.

  1. End of season events. Capping off the season with a thank you event leaves workers with a good feeling, and gives business owners a chance to formally illustrate their employee appreciation with a small bonuses or token gift.
  2. Pay all employees correctly and on time. Holding up your end of the bargain will encourage employees to do the same.
  3. Treat employees with dignity and respect. Employees that are respected will respect their supervisors in turn and have a positive feeling about returning to the job the following season.
  4. Ensure the farm managers and farm labor contractors are receptive to employee needs and concerns and are providing a safe work environment for all. This is critical to maintaining employee buy-in throughout the season and long days working in the field.

Contact your HUB Agribusiness expert for more information and insights on creating effective employee strategies today.

1 https://agamerica.com/the-impact-of-the-farm-labor-shortage/