Kentucky farmers struggle to find workers

By Blake Jackson

Finding reliable and affordable farm labor is a major hurdle for Kentucky farmers, according to Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) leadership. This issue dominated discussions during a recent county tour.

The H-2A guest worker program, currently the only option for farmers facing labor shortages, presents its own set of challenges. While it allows farmers to bring in foreign workers, it's a complex and expensive system.

A key requirement is that farmers must first try to recruit domestic workers. However, KFB officials say U.S. workers are largely uninterested in these jobs. John Walt Boatright, with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), acknowledges the program's shortcomings but highlights its increasing importance due to the labor shortage.

Calls for reform focus on improvements to the H-2A program, rather than a complete overhaul. Boatright blames the program's difficulty on congressional oversight by lawmakers unfamiliar with agriculture's needs. The program also involves multiple agencies, further complicating the process.

Kentucky's long history of tobacco production, a labor-intensive crop, exemplifies the challenges. Larry Clark, with KFB, says the program's complexity discourages tobacco production and has driven some farmers out of business altogether.

Another concern is the program's inflexibility. Needs vary greatly by region and crop type. Shane Wiseman, with KFB, emphasizes that a "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn't work.

The financial burden on farmers is significant. They cover processing fees, worker transportation, and wages, which have been steadily increasing over the past two decades. This comes at a time of volatile crop prices and rising farm input costs.

While Boatright acknowledges regulations aimed at worker protection, he worries they may overburden small farms, potentially forcing them to switch crops or exit production altogether.

He highlights the positive relationships between farmers and migrant workers, many of whom return year after year. Boatright attributes this to farmers exceeding the minimum requirements for worker care.

The AFBF encourages continued advocacy efforts to raise awareness among lawmakers. Boatright emphasizes the need to showcase the positive aspects of the program and advocate for practical changes that reflect the realities faced by farmers.

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