12/10/08 Figuring Out What Is In Store

Figuring Out What Is In Store. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. We have been looking at what the tree fruit industry in the Northwest can expect in the coming year. U.S. Apples' Diane Kurrle and National Council of Ag Employers Executive Vice President, Frank Gasperini recently talked to growers about the possibilities. GASPERINI: It's very important that our coalitions of all the associations and groups stay together because we're going into a turbulent new time and we can't afford to fight with one another. We'll have plenty of people who'll want to throw a rock at agriculture out there. We've got to be together and work together in the next administration or we will be in serious trouble. Obviously the immigration and worker issues will be forefront and Kurrle says enforcement will be important. KURRLE: Another big issue that's really been with us now since comprehensive immigration failed is increased enforcement. When comprehensive immigration failed the Bush Administration made a promise that they were going to step up enforcement; they were going to hire new agents; they were really going to show everybody what it was really going to be like since they didn't pass comprehensive reform. And that's certainly happened in some states and some regions more than others. Gasperini again says that now is the time for everyone to come together. GASPERINI: U.S. agriculture is too important to get left behind. It's not just about out jobs, it's about feeding the world and about U.S. agriculture. We need your strong association participation, strong educational awareness and strong grass roots participation. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.