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FarmWorkerShortage

28 NOVEMBER 2006 - SAN LUIS, AZ: Farm workers harvest lettuce in fields northeast of Yuma, AZ. Farmers and agricultural producers around Yuma, AZ, are facing a growing shortage of farm workers. Increased border enforcement have deterred many illegal workers from seeking work in Arizona and long lines at the ports of entry for legal workers are leading to the labor shortage. Some labor contractors are reporting as much as a 40 percent shortage of farm workers, Yuma farmers planted 15 percent fewer acres this year, compared to last, because of the shortage. More than 100,000 acres of iceberg lettuce are cultivated in Yuma county and more than 50,000 people are employed as seasonal farm workers at the height of the harvest, which is December through February. Nearly 3,500 seasonal farm workers stand in line for up to two hours every morning at the San Luis, AZ, Port of Entry to enter the US legally to work in the fields. Experienced workers can make as much as $14 (US) per hour during the harvest.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ

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28 NOVEMBER 2006 - SAN LUIS, AZ: Farm workers harvest lettuce in fields northeast of Yuma, AZ. Farmers and agricultural producers around Yuma, AZ, are facing a growing shortage of farm workers. Increased border enforcement have deterred many illegal workers from seeking work in Arizona and long lines at the ports of entry for legal workers are leading to the labor shortage. Some labor contractors are reporting as much as a 40 percent shortage of farm workers, Yuma farmers planted 15 percent fewer acres this year, compared to last, because of the shortage. More than 100,000 acres of iceberg lettuce are cultivated in Yuma county and more than 50,000 people are employed as seasonal farm workers at the height of the harvest, which is December through February. Nearly 3,500 seasonal farm workers stand in line for up to two hours every morning at the San Luis, AZ, Port of Entry to enter the US legally to work in the fields. Experienced workers can make as much as $14 (US) per hour during the harvest.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
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