California employs 450,000 farm employees during peak harvest times and 250,000 year round.
Farmers and ranchers must rely upon a hired farm labor workforce in California that is almost entirely foreign-born (95 percent).
Farm labor shortages in 2006 resulted in at least $85 million in crop losses, delayed harvests and diminished quality. Mechanical harvest is not possible for many crops.
Many hands are needed to harvest, pack and ship California fruit and vegetable crops. The state's other crops and commodities also depend on skilled workers to move them to market. Having a reliable, stable, legal work force has become a crucial concern. Farm Bureau believes it is important to protect our work force so farmers and ranchers can continue providing consumers with high-quality food, fiber, foliage and timber products.
We are committed to meaningful reform to address our nation's immigration concerns and assure that farmers can hire all the people needed to harvest crops, at the times when they're needed.
Access to a reliable, stable and legal work force will allow farmers and ranchers to continue providing affordable food and fiber.