Posted on 08/01/2012 10:28:32 AM PDT by ExxonPatrolUs
The lush rows of Bartlett pear trees appear boundless from where Pasqual Aragon stands. They make his small crew's fruit-picking mission seem impossibly daunting.
"The truth is that there's a lot of work and not enough people," said Aragon, 26, as a dozen men beside him hoisted ladders and stuffed pears into heavy pouches strapped over their shoulders.
California farmers warned for years of a future without enough skilled pickers and packers, of fruits and vegetables rotting in place. Critics accused them of crying wolf to win sympathy for relaxing labor and immigration rules.
This year, however, the evidence seems stronger that the farm workforce is shrinking.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
If a farmer whats to harvest he’ll pay more. he can do that right now if he wants.
We haven’t had an FDR for a while. Just think if Obama suggested soup programs, would you be all for it?
I’m not a resident of California, so I don’t see how this will be resolved.
Why do you think the farmers don’t want to pay more?
Yes, but California has vastly higher percentage of its people on welfare than Texas. California’s welfare population is so enormous it represents one-third of the nation — but its population is only 12 percent of the nation’s population.
Texas isn't on the list.
CA has the worst and best of everything. Been that way a long time.
However, as your population grows, so will welfare and the problems. Bet the rent.
A machine for picking citrus has existed for decades but it can't compete with slave labor. Cotton used to picked by hand, too.
The illegal alien pickers discovered they can make more money on California welfare benefits than working for the pittance wages the growers are offering. It’s that simple.
How many criminals are sitting around in California prisons doing nothing?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.