Facing persistent labor shortages, New York farmers are increasingly turning to the H-2A visa program to hire seasonal foreign workers, according to Spectrum News. At Reeves Farm in Baldwinsville, owner Brian Reeves says the program, despite its cost and bureaucracy, ensures a dependable workforce.
After post-9/11 border tightening left him short-staffed, Reeves began using H-2A to avoid losing crops. The visa requires farmers to provide regulated housing, advertise jobs locally, and undergo multi-agency approvals. Wages in New York start at $18.83, with total costs nearing $25 per hour per worker.
While vegetable farms qualify under H-2A, dairy farms are excluded, intensifying labor issues. Agriculture officials and farmers are calling for a broader visa program that meets the year-round needs of the industry.
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