COVID Challenges for Agriculture Pt 1

COVID Challenges for Agriculture Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I’m Bob Larson. Harvest season has begun, with cherries being picked in most places. But growers and packers are finding this a particularly challenging year to both find workers to bring in the crop while keeping them safe and healthy during this pandemic.

The Washington Policy Center’s Initiative on Agriculture Director, Pam Lewison says it’s never easy, but this year is obviously different …

LEWISON … “It’s early and I think, to be honest, I think there is a lot to worry about if you’re a farmer. Whether you have employees or not, there’s so much to worry about. Whether it’s a market downturn, whether it’s trying to keep your employees healthy and make sure they’re safe, whether it’s trying to figure out how you are going to weather this year’s storm for next year and try and employ as many people as you possibly can, everything seems like a challenge.”

Big or small, Lewison says the coronavirus is a concern for everyone …

LEWISON … “It’s something that’s weighing heavily on every grower regardless of the number of acres they have. Every grower, whether you have 5 acres or 5,000 acres is facing the same challenge this year.”

Lewison says from worker housing to work in the fields, social distancing and safety supplies are something every grower is having to deal with quickly.

Tune in tomorrow for more on the challenges growers are facing this year and what it means moving forward.

Previous ReportCFAP Adjustments Pt 2
Next ReportCOVID Challenges for Agriculture Pt 2