[xtypo_dropcap]A[/xtypo_dropcap] congressional delegation has ensured a successful apple harvest in Vermont. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and others helped expedite permits for temporary foreign workers to harvest state apple crops.
Warm spring weather prompted early blooms in Vermont orchards, so growers knew they would have to prepare for an early harvest. The problem was making sure that there were enough seasonal workers to pick the crop.
For nearly 30 years, apple growers have relied on the H-2A program, which permits U.S. employers to bring temporary foreign workers into the country to perform seasonal agricultural work.
However, according to Vermont Agriculture Secretary Roger Allbee, since 9/11 the H-2A program has become “more difficult and expensive to navigate.” In anticipation of an early harvest, Allbee and state growers looked to congressional representatives for help.
Sen. Leahy made a personal call to United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas. Allbee says the senator’s efforts helped expedite the process for all apple growers with pending H-2A petitions for workers from Jamaica to have their visa applications settled. Leahy’s staff also helped to expedite submissions to USCIS for agency review of growers’ forms.
“An entire season’s work was at risk, and crops don’t wait for paperwork,” said Sen. Leahy in a press release. “I’m glad we found a commonsense solution for a happy ending after this close call.”
Vermont’s apple industry contributes nearly $20 million to the state’s economy and is an important part of the area’s rural communities, tourism, and open landscape, according to the state’s Agriculture Agency.
While the harvest is now well underway—some varieties were ready in early August—orchards say that picking will continue into October.
Warm spring weather prompted early blooms in Vermont orchards, so growers knew they would have to prepare for an early harvest. The problem was making sure that there were enough seasonal workers to pick the crop.
For nearly 30 years, apple growers have relied on the H-2A program, which permits U.S. employers to bring temporary foreign workers into the country to perform seasonal agricultural work.
However, according to Vermont Agriculture Secretary Roger Allbee, since 9/11 the H-2A program has become “more difficult and expensive to navigate.” In anticipation of an early harvest, Allbee and state growers looked to congressional representatives for help.
Sen. Leahy made a personal call to United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas. Allbee says the senator’s efforts helped expedite the process for all apple growers with pending H-2A petitions for workers from Jamaica to have their visa applications settled. Leahy’s staff also helped to expedite submissions to USCIS for agency review of growers’ forms.
“An entire season’s work was at risk, and crops don’t wait for paperwork,” said Sen. Leahy in a press release. “I’m glad we found a commonsense solution for a happy ending after this close call.”
Vermont’s apple industry contributes nearly $20 million to the state’s economy and is an important part of the area’s rural communities, tourism, and open landscape, according to the state’s Agriculture Agency.
While the harvest is now well underway—some varieties were ready in early August—orchards say that picking will continue into October.
