[panaxanax]

"If you base your business on paying someone $3 an hour... you deserve to go under."

"when you have to pay more than $2 per hour for your help I guess....."

No offense, but neither of you know what you're talking about (on this issue).

I managed a 100+ acre apple orchard in Oroville, WA in the eighties and I can assure you that the workers make more than 2-3 bucks an hour. We were paying $10.80 per bin at that time. An average worker could easily pick a bin in less than an hour. The days were long and yes it was hard work, but we had guys that picked 12 bins a day, some even more. The workers got a free cabin and transportation to and from the orchards. They were making more than I was!!

Gotta have lunch, will be back soon.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think it's that "per bin" price that makes American and teenage workers wince, they want to be paid by the hour, not by the product! :~D

I picked blueberries as a kid, we got paid by the bucket.

[taxed2death]

Well, perhaps I was off in my $3 per hour.

You know....it sucks that I have to pay a competent air brush artist $45,000.00 per year. I wish I could hire an illegal and pay him crap wages and have him live in a tool shed out back of my shop.
/sarcasm

[pollyannaish]

It's funny isn't it? These guys are making really good money, and a lot of it is spent in our community.

There are a lots and lots of people these days who would rather get paid the Washington State minimum wage of $7.63 working in a fast food restaurant than go outside in the heat and get paid a LOT more for working hard. Part of the problem is Washington State minimum wage laws, imo. They're nuts.

And for what its worth, most growers, even those who might end up hiring illegals...as long as you show the required documentation are not going to risk the being hit by lawsuits trying to guess if you are illegal or not. You will also be paid at least minimum wage to keep Olympia off your back.

So...come on out and make some decent money. Just remember, however, that once the harvest is in...you have to go elsewhere to find work...because it generally is not going to be in town.