In their final days, the Bush Administration attempted to make it easier for farmers to hire what they termed foreign field workers. It turns out that farm groups didn’t like the plan saying that it would worsen  wages and working conditions.

 

So what’s an Ag producer to do? You need laborers to make your operation a success, but you can get into trouble if you hire the wrong person. Here’s a thought.  Hire an American…that way, no one breaks the law. Sounds easy and obvious…but there’s a snag.

 

Brent Olmstead, Executive Director of Milk Producers of Idaho and an activist with immigration reform comments. “I’ve had dairymen tell me that they’ve had caucasions apply for these jobs for the first time in the last 10-12 years and when you tell them it’s a milking parlour job, they say no thank you. Average salary for a milker in Idaho is between $10-12/hr.”

 

That also comes with limited benefits. But still, Americans just don’t seem to want these types of jobs…and here’s a real problem. When a farmer who needs laborers is approached by someone who does want to work his jobs, he has to follow the law. This means a lot of red tape finding out if the applicant is legal, has papers, an so on. It makes the farmer have to be a legal expert.

“The Idaho Dairy industry has formed a immigration coalition in the State of Idaho.”

 

That story tomorrow.