Key Takeaways:
- Severe labor shortage hits cherry growers due to immigration policies.
- Fear of ICE checkpoints deters migrant workers, impacting harvests.
- Growers risk losing farms as labor crisis deepens.
- Advocates call for urgent solutions to save family farms.
The cherry industry is grappling with a severe labor shortage, tied to President Trump’s immigration crackdown. This crisis has led to a significant drop in cherry production, worrying growers and advocates alike.
Why This is Happening
Migrant workers, mostly from Mexico, traditionally harvest cherries in regions like Mattawa, Washington. However, the recent increase in immigration enforcement, including ICE checkpoints near the Oregon border, has scared many workers away. Horticulturist Erik Zavala explains that these workers are avoiding the area due to fear, resulting in fewer laborers available for harvest.
The Impact on Cherry Growers
The labor shortage has caused substantial financial losses. A grower in Mattawa lost 300 bins of cherries, each weighing 350 pounds, due to insufficient workers. Erik Zavala notes that this issue affects all growers, regardless of their political views, as many face the risk of losing their farms without enough labor.
The Bigger Picture
The Trump administration’s deportation of 200,000 people in four months and a daily arrest quota of 3,000 have intensified the crisis. Ben Tindall from Save Family Farming emphasizes the urgency for solutions to prevent the collapse of family farms and the food supply they support.
In conclusion, the combination of labor shortages and stringent immigration policies is threatening the cherry industry. Immediate action is needed to address this crisis and secure the future of family farms.