Agriculture
Agriculture and farming is a cherished part of American identity and remains an important part of the American economy. In 2020, the agriculture, fishing, and forestry industries contributed more than $175 billion to U.S. GDP and supported more than 2.3 million workers. The health of America's farms and the agriculture industry, however, is tied directly to immigration. Farmers frequently worry about finding enough workers as few Americans seem willing to take on the most difficult and physical farm jobs—particularly those harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables. Yet the H-2A visa, the only agricultural visa currently available to American farms, is too expensive and cumbersome to work for many U.S. growers. We explore this issue—and the way it costs our economy—below.
Paul: Immigration reform did not sink Cantor
FRANKFORT, KY. — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said Wednesday that “the ball is moving forward” on immigration reform despite the surprise defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the Virginia primary. Cantor lost to Dave Brat, a little-known economics professor whose campaign focused largely on… Read More
Immigration reform impacts downtown Greenville restaurants too
South Carolina’s food system relies on immigrant labor, without which all of us would suffer, that was the message at an immigration reform event Thursday morning at Soby’s Restaurant in Greenville. Part local foods pep rally, part call to action, the event was organized by both the Partnership for a… Read More
Arkansas farmers calling for immigration reform
LONOKE, Ark. (KTHV) – Immigration reform is one of our nation’s most hotly debated topics, but this week, some Arkansas farmers have become more vocal about the issue. They said without reform, they are losing $320 million and 22 farming days. Bob Barnhill at Barnhill Orchards has had some of… Read More
Greenville Farmers, Restaurateurs Stress Importance of Immigration Labor
GREENVILLE, S.C. – South Carolina farmers are discussing the importance of immigration labor. The Partnership for a New American Economy and the South Carolina Farm Bureau hosted “Field 2 Fork” in Greenville Thursday. During the event, farmers and restaurateurs demonstrated how agriculture products grown in the… Read More
“Field 2 Fork” Event Showcases Impact of Immigrant Labor on South Carolina’s Agricultural Supply Chain
Supply-chain aided at each step by immigrant labor #Field2ForkSC GREENVILLE, SC — Today the Partnership for a New American Economy and the South Carolina Farm Bureau hosted a “Field 2 Fork” event demonstrating how agricultural products grown in South Carolina travel from farm… Read More
Poultry Federation president: Lack of immigration reform hurts agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — The agriculture industry will face an increasing labor shortage and consumers will see food prices soar if Congress does not pass comprehensive immigration reform, Poultry Federation President Marvin Childers said Tuesday. “What I can tell you from visiting with the poultry companies in… Read More
Time for Congress to modernize immigration system
As a member of both the agricultural and business community in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Agribusiness Council and its members have witnessed first-hand the benefits of new business generation in our great state. New business generation is inherently the best catalyst to driving job creation, especially in Wisconsin. Wisconsin… Read More
Immigration Reform Needed Now, Not Later, For American Food Chain to Remain Intact Industry Leaders Say
Industry leaders involved in all aspects of America’s food supply met in Provo to discuss the immediate need for immigration reform and how the current system negatively impacts the U.S.’s food industry. Staffers from the offices Representative Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart met representatives from the… Read More
Farmers and local businesses call for immigration reform
PROVO — If you think immigration reform doesn’t have anything to do with you, think again the next time you look at your dinner plate. It is possible an immigrant worker played a role in getting the food you are eating from the farm, to the store… Read More
Utahns say lack of immigration reform hurts farmers, consumers
Jake Harward, a Springville farmer, has a hard time finding help to plant, tend and harvest his crops and says the need for immigration reform is urgent. “The argument that we’re taking jobs away from others just doesn’t fly in my mind,” Harward said Monday… Read More
Immigrants and American Farms
In 2019, more than half of all hired farmworkers in the United States were immigrants, or roughly 450,000 workers. In many states known for their fresh produce, immigrant farm laborers make up large shares of miscellaneous agriculture workers—the occupation that includes those hand picking crops in the field.
Share of Miscellaneous Agricultural Workers in Crop Production, Undocumented, 2019
Farm Labor Shortages
In recent years, the number of new immigrants arriving in the country to work in agriculture has fallen by 75 percent. Rising wages indicate this has led to a major labor shortage on U.S. farms—making it difficult for many growers to stay in business or expand their operations. The workers left are also aging rapidly, meaning shortages will likely worsen as they retire.
Decline in Key States
The Aging of Foreign-Born Farm Workers
The Cost of Our Farm Labor Shortage
Because agriculture is intertwined with so many other industries in our economy—such as transportation, packing, and irrigation—a shortage of farm workers hurts the U.S. economy more broadly. We estimate U.S. growers would have produced $3.1 billion more in fresh fruits and vegetables per year by 2014 had farm labor not been an issue. The table in this section shows the costs to the U.S. economy for failing to meet this target.
Rising Imports
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables Americans eat that is imported. Although many factors play into this phenomenon, we estimate labor shortages alone explain 27 percent of the market share decline experienced by U.S. growers from 1998-2000 to 2010-2012. Had growers maintained their hold on the domestic market, an estimated 89,300 additional U.S. jobs would have been created by 2012.
Jobs Americans Won’t Do
U.S. fresh produce growers have long said that few, if any, American workers are willing to take on the most arduous farm jobs. We studied this issue in North Carolina, examining how many American workers actually applied for heavily advertised farming positions in 2011, a period when the country was still recovering from the recession. The table in this section shows the results.
The H-2A Visa
The H-2A visa program, the only visa currently available to bring in temporary agriculture workers, is too cumbersome and unworkable for many farms. Farmers desperate for workers frequently go through the application process only to receive their laborers late, resulting in crop loss.
Sources:
1 “Why Domestic Agriculture Needs New, Workable Farm Labor Alternatives Now,” National Council of Agricultural Employers, 2011. Available online.
2Ibid.
3Ibid.
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