Crops could be lost as flu delays labor influx

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/702265.html

Mexican migrant workers usually come to Carolinas to plant and cultivate tobacco, sweet potatoes and more.
By John Murawski
[e-mail]
Posted: Sunday, May. 03, 2009

Hundreds of farmers in the Carolinas who depend on seasonal migrant workers may not get Mexican laborers in time for planting this month because of the global outbreak of swine flu .

http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/05/02/22/250-MIGRANT0503_GO7FG02J.1+migrantSC.JPG.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.jpg
Cesar Hernandez thins peaches on trees at Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, S.C., Wednesday. The farm's owner, Chalmers Carr, expected 50-60 more workers to arrive from Mexico early this month, but flu has delayed that. TIM DOMINICK – [e-mail]


The migrant workers travel across the border each year to plant, cultivate and harvest a variety of crops, including tobacco and sweet potatoes, which are dependent on manual labor. North Carolina is the nation's leading producer of those two crops, and hundreds of farmers rely almost exclusively on the migrants to work their fields.

Without the laborers, the crops could be lost, damaging the state's agricultural economy. Tobacco and sweet potatoes together generate more than $700 million for North Carolina's farmers each year. Even planting a few weeks late can have ruinous effects.

“The effect of losing a crop would be the same if your bossman told you to take a year off without pay,” said Kinston farmer Jimmy Hill, who grows tobacco and sweet potatoes on more than 1,300 acres.

About 3,000 migrants have arrived for the annual influx under a special temporary visa program. But about 4,000 more await entry and have been stuck in limbo after visa processing was suspended last week in the wake of the flu outbreak in Mexico.

The processing of temporary worker visas, optimistically set to resume Wednesday, has been delayed until May 11 in some U.S. consulate offices. Farmers fear it could be postponed indefinitely if the flu spreads unabated.

FULL story at link.

[MichellesBFF]

1. I have an idea

How about paying a living wage to Americans to pick the crops? Or am I being naive?

[Omaha Steve]

2. I think your right on target

Wonder why employers don't see it that way?