Key Takeaways

• Pennsylvania farmers are desperate for more farm workers to stay afloat.
• Lawmakers plan to introduce new legislation to fix the farm labor shortage.
• Many local farmers say help is needed now, not later.
• Without more farm labor, food prices may rise and harvests could go to waste.

Farm Labor Crisis Hits Pennsylvania Hard

Farmers in Pennsylvania, especially those in rural areas like Tioga County, are struggling to find enough help to run their farms. They say this farm labor shortage is now a full-blown crisis. Many farms don’t have enough workers to pick crops, milk cows, or handle daily tasks on time.

As a response, House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson—who represents this farming region—is working on a bill. This new law would aim to give farmers more access to labor. But for folks on the ground, this help can’t come soon enough. Many say they’ve been waiting for years and are now begging for a fast solution.

Despite overwhelming support for Republican leadership in areas like Tioga County, where former President Donald Trump won 75 percent of the vote in 2024, there is rising frustration. Farmers expected solutions to come faster. Instead, they’re facing rotting crops and shrinking profits.

Why the Farm Labor Shortage Is So Serious

The farm labor shortage didn’t pop up overnight. For years, American farmers have relied on seasonal or immigrant workers for help. Most of these workers come through the H-2A visa program, which allows temporary farm employees from other countries.

But this system has problems. There are delays, high costs, and not always enough people available. As a result, farms wait weeks—or even months—for approved help. During that time, crops can spoil, and chores pile up.

A dairy farmer in Thompson’s district explained it best: “You can’t delay milking cows. You can’t push back planting. Nature doesn’t wait.”

With fewer people willing to work on farms and tighter immigration rules, fewer workers are reaching the fields where they are urgently needed. Now, the farm labor shortage threatens not just farms but America’s entire food supply.

G.T. Thompson’s Plan to Fix the Farm Labor Shortage

Representative G.T. Thompson understands what’s at stake. As Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, he’s working on a new bill to fix the farm labor shortage. It’s still being developed, but early reports suggest the plan would:

• Expand access to foreign workers
• Streamline the application process for H-2A visas
• Offer more support to smaller farms struggling with paperwork
• Possibly create year-round positions, not just seasonal ones

This would be a big change. Right now, many farms can only get workers for short periods. Seasonal help is fine for fruit farms—but not for dairy, poultry, or greenhouse growers, who need year-round support.

Thompson’s goal is to help all kinds of farms, not just the big ones. He’s hearing from people who’ve worked the land for generations—and they’re scared their way of life might disappear without action.

Farmers Want Immediate Results, Not Just Promises

Even though many farmers support Thompson and his efforts, they also say they can’t wait forever. Legislation takes time to pass. In the meantime, their farms are falling apart.

One produce farmer shared how she lost 30 percent of her apple crop last year. “There weren’t enough hands to pick them,” she said. “By the time we got help, half the fruit had dropped to the ground.”

These losses hurt. Not only for the farmers themselves, but also for the local markets that sell the produce and the families who eat it.

The fear is, without a quick fix, more farms will shut down. Young people are already leaving family farms behind. With rising costs and fewer workers, continuing to farm is becoming impossible for many.

How the Farm Labor Shortage Affects Everyone

You might wonder, “Why should I care about a farm labor shortage?” The truth is, it affects us all.

• Food prices could continue to rise
• Local produce may become harder to find
• More food will likely be imported from other countries
• Small towns that depend on farming jobs could collapse

Even if you’ve never stepped foot on a farm, the work being done there feeds you every day. If the people growing our food can’t find help, we all end up paying the price.

Some Are Pushing for Local Labor—but It’s Tough

You might think, “Can’t local people just take these jobs?” Some farms have tried. But it’s not that easy. Many young Americans don’t want to do the hard labor involved in farming. The hours are long, the work is physically exhausting, and in most cases, the pay is lower than other jobs.

Farmers say that even when they offer higher wages, they often can’t keep workers for more than a few weeks. One Tioga County farmer said, “We hired six people from town. By the end of the first month, only one was left. The rest quit.”

Because of this, most farms still need help from foreign workers, and they need a system that doesn’t leave them waiting and guessing.

Hope for a Better Future—If Lawmakers Act Fast

There is some hope. With G.T. Thompson pushing for action, and other lawmakers across party lines showing interest, a real solution might be closer than ever.

Still, farmers are urging lawmakers to act with urgency. They say they can’t afford more delays or more red tape. They need clear answers, more workers, and fewer hurdles.

If the upcoming farm labor bill passes—and passes soon—it might offer that hope. Until then, many in rural Pennsylvania and across America will keep holding on, doing the best they can with the workers they have.

But they’ll also keep reminding those in Washington: time is running out.

FAQs

What is causing the farm labor shortage in the U.S.?

The shortage is caused by strict immigration rules, slow visa processes, and a lack of interest in farm work among local Americans.

How does the shortage impact food prices?

Fewer workers mean some crops are left unharvested. This leads to lower supply and higher prices at grocery stores.

What is G.T. Thompson doing about the issue?

He’s working on a new bill that would give farmers more access to labor, improve visa wait times, and reduce costs for smaller farms.

Can local workers replace foreign farm labor?

In most cases, no. Farmers say local workers often quit due to the hard physical work and long hours. Most farms still depend on experienced foreign labor.