The Future of American Crop Harvesting: Addressing the Aging Farm Workforce

As the children of farmworkers seek a different future, the agricultural industry in the US is facing a labor shortage. Decades ago, migrant farmworker families would travel across the country, but increased border enforcement and an aging workforce have led to a decline in available labor. Many farmworkers, like Paola Mendoza and Jazmin Corona, are pursuing higher education and breaking the cycle of farm work. However, the shortage of workers is a concern for farmers, leading to increased reliance on the H-2A visa program to bring in foreign workers. A bill has been introduced in Congress to address the issue, but faces challenges in gaining support.