Top Policy Priority is Labor Reform
By George F. SzczepanskiÂ
I was fortunate enough to take on the role of executive director of the National Watermelon Association at the beginning of 2023. The board’s decision to hire me was primarily influenced by the public policy work I had done as a part of the International Fresh Produce Association staff. As I settled into my new position and discussed our priorities with the board, it quickly became clear that all the topics our growers were focused on from a public policy perspective could be traced back to one central issue — labor. New varieties, cutting-edge technologies, crop protection and input management all hinge on labor. That’s our most crucial policy priority.
Heavy Lift
This revelation was not entirely surprising, as labor is the top concern across the produce and agriculture industry. However, for our membership, it holds an even more singular focus. It’s a point of pride that watermelons can feed a crowd, but that affordable price point (especially when considering the price per pound) comes with some harsh agricultural realities. The manual labor required for harvesting one of the heaviest items in the produce sector is beyond what American workers are willing to undertake. Consequently, labor costs become a disproportionately high factor for our fruits from an economic standpoint.
A greater surprise to me has been the apparent misunderstanding of what agricultural labor is outside of the industry. Our workers are nearly all part of the H-2A visa program; these are not transient, nameless visitors doing anything to make a buck. Our crews are thoroughly vetted and skilled to work on our farms. Many return year after year, building relationships with our farmers, making this their home for a portion of the year, and depending on this work to provide their families with a better life. We need to continue sharing our stories to convey this reality to those outside our industry, especially to public stakeholders. We cannot feed America without this critical labor force.
Congressional Support Needed
So, where do we go from here? Our current system is burdensome, complicated, costly and unpredictable, and the latter is perhaps the most disconcertingly disruptive for our growers. This year, I have seen this firsthand more than ever before. Interagency coordination is falling short, and with the influx of new regulations from various regulators, we need the support of Congress to make meaningful improvements to this system. If we cannot harvest the food we plant in this country, we are failing our national security, risking further increases in food prices, and wasting the most delicious and nutritious food we can provide — our fresh fruits and vegetables.
This season, Americans are enjoying watermelons that were grown and harvested in their communities, across this great nation. It takes many hands to achieve this, and we need Congress to support us as we strive to continue bringing watermelon smiles to consumers, year after year. By addressing the challenges within the H-2A visa program and improving labor policies, we can ensure that growers have the reliable workforce they need to keep this cherished tradition alive, and to protect our family farms.