Farms Look for Answers As Coronavirus Threatens Workers
2020-05-05
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1In normal times, farmers worry about the economy, the weather and being able to sell their crops.
2Now add the effects of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
3Now as harvest season nears in many parts of the United States, farmers are wondering if they will have workers to bring in their crops.
4And, if there are workers, how can they be kept safe?
5One area known for its farming is the eastern state of Pennsylvania.
6Adams and Franklin counties in rural Pennsylvania have some of the largest farms for fruit and berries.
7"Generally, one of the biggest concerns right now... it's just access to workers," said Liam Migdail.
8He is with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the largest farm organization in the state.
9During harvest season, many farmers employ migrants to collect crops from their fields.
10Many are guest workers from Mexico or Central America.
11They move from one farm to the next, wherever they are needed.
12The possible labor shortage comes from new restrictions on international workers because of COVID-19.
13Farmers are also wondering about what to do if their guest workers get sick.
14"That would shut us down...if we all got the coronavirus, OK, nobody could work, the fruit falls on the ground," says Kay Hollabaugh.
15She is co-owner of Hollabaugh Bros., Inc., a family owned and operated fruit and vegetable farm in Butler Township.
16For now, she added, her farm is trying to move forward and keep their workers "safe and healthy."
17Some farmers say it is too early to tell if the new safety rules will affect their ability to harvest fruits and vegetables.
18At many farms, workers are to begin harvesting crops between May and July.
19Farmer Chris Baugher said he does not know if he will have workers.
20In 2016, the fruit industry contributed $580 million to the Adams County economy.
21It also created 8,500 jobs and added $16.4 million in taxes, an agricultural study found.
22An area called the South Mountain Fruit Belt produces 70 percent of Pennsylvania's total apple crop.
23That represents over 180 kilograms of apples a year.
24In 2019, there were more than 1,800 guest workers in Pennsylvania through the federal government's H-2A visa program.
25Farmer Denton Benedict usually employs around 90 workers through this visa program.
26The program lets agricultural employers hire workers from other countries to do temporary or seasonal work when local workers cannot be found.
27"Not being able to find good help locally is the reason that we went to the H-2A program," said Baugher.
28He usually has over 20 people from Honduras working on his farm.
29Kay Hollabaugh said local people do not want to do the work because they lack the skills and the work is physically demanding.
30On March 20, the U.S. Department of State suspended visa services like in-person interviews at all embassies and offices overseas because of the coronavirus pandemic.
31A week later, it announced that H-2A workers could get visas without an interview.
32But it is still not clear if and how many H-2A workers will come to the United States.
33"If we don't get our help...that would be devastating," Benedict said.
34A shortage of farm workers would also affect people in the United States.
35With less produce available, food prices could see large increases.
36I'm Susan Shand.
1In normal times, farmers worry about the economy, the weather and being able to sell their crops. Now add the effects of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. 2Now as harvest season nears in many parts of the United States, farmers are wondering if they will have workers to bring in their crops. And, if there are workers, how can they be kept safe? 3One area known for its farming is the eastern state of Pennsylvania. 4Adams and Franklin counties in rural Pennsylvania have some of the largest farms for fruit and berries. 5"Generally, one of the biggest concerns right now... it's just access to workers," said Liam Migdail. He is with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the largest farm organization in the state. 6During harvest season, many farmers employ migrants to collect crops from their fields. Many are guest workers from Mexico or Central America. They move from one farm to the next, wherever they are needed. 7The possible labor shortage comes from new restrictions on international workers because of COVID-19. Farmers are also wondering about what to do if their guest workers get sick. 8"That would shut us down...if we all got the coronavirus, OK, nobody could work, the fruit falls on the ground," says Kay Hollabaugh. She is co-owner of Hollabaugh Bros., Inc., a family owned and operated fruit and vegetable farm in Butler Township. 9For now, she added, her farm is trying to move forward and keep their workers "safe and healthy." 10Some farmers say it is too early to tell if the new safety rules will affect their ability to harvest fruits and vegetables. At many farms, workers are to begin harvesting crops between May and July. 11Farmer Chris Baugher said he does not know if he will have workers. 12'Locals don't want the work' 13In 2016, the fruit industry contributed $580 million to the Adams County economy. It also created 8,500 jobs and added $16.4 million in taxes, an agricultural study found. 14An area called the South Mountain Fruit Belt produces 70 percent of Pennsylvania's total apple crop. That represents over 180 kilograms of apples a year. 15In 2019, there were more than 1,800 guest workers in Pennsylvania through the federal government's H-2A visa program. 16Farmer Denton Benedict usually employs around 90 workers through this visa program. 17The program lets agricultural employers hire workers from other countries to do temporary or seasonal work when local workers cannot be found. 18"Not being able to find good help locally is the reason that we went to the H-2A program," said Baugher. He usually has over 20 people from Honduras working on his farm. 19Kay Hollabaugh said local people do not want to do the work because they lack the skills and the work is physically demanding. 20On March 20, the U.S. Department of State suspended visa services like in-person interviews at all embassies and offices overseas because of the coronavirus pandemic. A week later, it announced that H-2A workers could get visas without an interview. But it is still not clear if and how many H-2A workers will come to the United States. 21"If we don't get our help...that would be devastating," Benedict said. 22A shortage of farm workers would also affect people in the United States. With less produce available, food prices could see large increases. 23I'm Susan Shand. 24The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 25________________________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27access - n. being able to get something you desire 28guest - n. a visitor to one's home or business 29shut - v. to close down 30contribute - v. to add value to something 31belt - n. a tract of land 32hire - v. to employ 33interview - n. to ask someone questions 34devastate - v. to destroy