Immigration issues endangering agriculture's future

By STEVE MARRONI
Evening Sun Reporter
Article Launched: 03/30/2008 04:05:45 AM EDT

Kay Hollabaugh's jaw dropped when she learned this week that the state's largest tomato grower would not plant a crop this year because there might be too few workers to harvest it.

It begs the question, she said, if the day will ever come when Adams County's fruit growers face a similar decision.

And while Hollabaugh Bros. Fruit Farm and Market outside of Biglerville has not had to take such a drastic step, Kay Hollabaugh said she's noticed fewer and fewer migrant workers, most of whom are Mexican, coming back to the orchard each year.

"I'm very fearful of what the future holds for us," she said. "Agriculture is a hands-on business, and if we can't get people to do the hands-on labor, we will go out of business."

It's a frightening trend, she said - a trend that could slow production.

But American consumers will still need to eat.

Continued...