With the help of the H-2A program, Santa Maria growers expect tight but manageable labor availability for 2021.
“Labor is stable,” said Steve Adlesh, partner with Beachside Produce LLC, Guadalupe, Calif. “The H2A element has helped to supplement the labor pool. H-2A will continue to be important going forward.”
Last year’s disruption in the foodservice market caused some growers to cut back acreage, which freed up some labor.
Conditions have changed for 2021
“So far this year labor is a little tighter than it was this time last year,” said Matt Hiltner, marketing coordinator for Babé Farms, Santa Maria, Calif. “Due to COVID, some growers have gone out of business or reduced their acreage, forcing farmworkers to look for work in other industries.”
The use of the H-2A program has grown over time.
“Our feeling is that it will be a tight labor supply this year,” said Roger Privett III, sales and business development manager for Santa Maria-based Main Street Produce. “To ensure our ability to harvest our crops, we have decided to utilize significantly more H-2A workers this season than we ever have before.”
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