By Clint Thompson
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently submitted a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget regarding the ongoing government shutdown and subsequent pause in H-2A labor certification processing.
Florida is the largest user of the H-2A program with approximately 50,000 certified positions every year. Timely processing is important to avoid disruption for Florida fruit and vegetable growers who depend on the program for a reliable workforce.
“As Florida growers move into their peak production season, shutdown-caused delays in H-2A certifications imminently threaten agricultural production, potentially leading to significant crop loss for Florida’s fruit and vegetable producers,” the letter read. “Producers have significant investments in their crops before harvest ever begins – upwards of $30,000 per acre for some commodities, for hundreds of acres planted. If growers are unable to harvest, these investments will not be recovered.”
The letter added that between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, Florida represents nearly one-third of all H-2A certifications nationwide. Jamie Fussell, FFVA Director of Labor Relations and who signed the letter on FFVA’s behalf, noted that if the U.S. Department of Labor does not resume the certification process, 40% of Florida’s annual H-2A workforce may not arrive in time for harvest.
“If the shutdown lasts through November, it may be February before workers arrive,” the letter added. “For Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers, that’s simply too late.”
Click here to view the FFVA letter.