Down on the farm: A shortage of agricultural labor

If you like to eat, you can thank a farm worker, among the hardest-working, lowest-paid, yet most vital workers in America. Correspondent Luke Burbank talks with Shay Myers, a third-generation Oregon farmer who feels it's important that agricultural workers get their due.
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[@madbug1965]

As a former canning tomato farmer, I feel badly for those still in the business. We had a family from Mexico that would come up every season during harvest. We we always grateful for their hard work and dependability.

[@BadWolf762]

And I bet you were grateful they accepted low pay.

[@Raja1938]

That's how I think most migrant workers would prefer it. Work seasonally in the U.S. and go back since their earned dollars buy more in their home countries.

[@Baron-nv1ez]

Let's be honest. You don't actually like them, you LOVE the cheap labor they provide you. I bet they stopped coming because they could make more money in another job.

[@carryclass6807]

if your business can not pay a middle class wage and attract legal local workers like any other business than as far as i am concerned your business does not need to exist. thousands of other kinds of businesses have to do it and i see nothing special about agriculture. Teachers, for example do not work year round but we pay them a salary that they live on year round. if agriculture is forced to agriculture will find the money.

[@lannahollas-pn7op]

God blessed farmers 🧑‍🌾 they are the life of the people who live in the world

[@middlesismonica]

I've been following him on TikTok for almost a year. His videos are so educational.

[@BJMallory]

Same! He speaks flawless Spanish, and always shows such caring and respect towards his workers. He’s an impressive young man.

[@elizabethosborne5650]

As someone who DID work in the agriculture fields for only two months, I can tell you the work is BRUTAL! Immigrants are the only workers who will undertake this back-breaking work (every day)!! We "white Americans" are too damn lazy to do the work (regardless of the pay), yet, at the same time, most treat farm workers as second-class citizens! After my two months as a field laborer, I entered the teaching world. For most of my 35 years, nearly half of my students' parents and family members were agriculture workers. Even my students worked weekends, every summer, and every spring break. I know "these people", and I am grateful for their sacrifice--because working in the fields is BRUTAL!

[@BlackTar100]

It's not just "white" Americans who are lazy. it's Americans in general. However, if you took away the comforts I can guarantee you people would be willing to work. When I'm talking about comforts, I'm talking about when you have no choice.

[@adambomb30]

I don't see black people or asians doing that work either. Are they lazy or is your racism only directed at white people?

[@rgdssd]

@@adambomb30 Black people were forced to do that type of labor without pay for many generations, so they refuse to do that work for a very good reason! Asians have networks that push them into business ownership (Vietnamese, Koreans) and Filipinos come with special immigration status through the military or nursing programs.

[@rosaliamartinez8956]

Elizabeth My childhood vacations for summer school was working in the fields of Napa picking grapes and outher fruits like plums , yes 5yrs old . Don't feel sorry for me our my many sister's and brothers . Believe it or this taught us as adults to be hardcworkers . The problem is not many whites and even less Blacks will work in the fields. We Mexicans are hard working people . If this Country keep being so negative aginst Imagrents have done this hard work . If this keep on more and more farmers will see thire prorits given away or wither in the Sun .

[@yvonneplant9434]

@@adambomb30 Look up American chattal slavery. The stuff white people do not want to even talk about now because it's part of "critical race theory".

[@aideebautista2316]

Well, start hiring people complaining that immigrants are taking their job!!!

[@elizabethosborne5650]

They won't do the work. It's "beneath" them.

[@marvinmartion1178]

They don't want to work!

[@j.d.garcia2757]

@@marvinmartion1178 ,They don't like the wages !😂😂 They have Dignity !👍💪🤑🤑🤑🤑

[@notahotshot]

@@elizabethosborne5650 "They won't do the work." 6000 people showed up.

[@subboxjunkie8298]

All I’ve heard for years is that the illegal immigrants are taking American Jobs. They’re not taking corporate or high paying jobs. They take wager no one wants to do. Those taking unemployment right now living in close proximity to the farm areas would rather sit at home. They would rather wait for the next unemployment paycheck. 🤔🙄

[@victorespinoza6210]

"Farmers would have to pay 23$ an hour to get Americans to work in the fields" pfffttt 😂😂 Here in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California it's going to be 109 degrees today and there are migrants out here working. You could offer 40$ an hour and Americans still wouldn't do it. Thank you for highlighting this issue. It's a really complicated issue that gets lost in the politics of the border. The reality is that not everything in agriculture can be mechanized and we will always need skilled workers.

[@elizabethosborne5650]

So true!!!!!

[@kwebster62]

I disagree. Migrant workers are hard workers, no doubt, but you can't convince me you wouldn't get some American workers for $23-$40 an hour. In my younger years, I've worked hours in 100 degree heat doing manual labor...for minimum wage. I know I would have done it for $40 an hour, if I couldn't find other work paying that much.

[@ilovegoodsax]

Preach it! I was born and raised here in the Central Valley and my parents families migrated from Oklahoma and Texas respectively worked the fields back in the 40/50s/60s/70s. I remember as a small child in the 60s playing with the other kids in the fields while our parents chopped cotton and later picked it, knocked almonds and cut grapes. My young mother even went into labor with me while cutting grapes, laying them on trays to dry out and become raisins in early October. Be they white, black, Asian, Mexican (born here or immigrants) there was no shortage of farm labor back then. The majority of Americans haven't a clue....

[@utopia6403]

@@kwebster62 I agree you could get some workers but taken as a whole you would never get enough workers. So many Americans with health problems weight etc so even if some have the desire do not have the physical body to actually do it.

[@notahotshot]

6000 people showed up to do the work, and they literally paid them with asparagus.

[@benzle93]

It's not just farmers that need labor...janitorial services, poultry, construction, etc. are all looking for workers

[@tysonreuter5788]

Why would anyone wanna do that when realtors are making 30k a month?

[@inthrutheoutdoor5849]

I'll give you the bottom line on why no one is applying..I work in retail. Customers treat us like poop and our company lets them. People are not willing to sell their dignity for the pttance they are paying. Until the pay equals the amount of abuse we take daily, no one will want to work.

[@The-Skinn]

…and the racist left shows their true colors.😂

[@BoydGilbreath]

Since wages have been lowered and work loads more than doubled, yes, people are not able to afford these jobs. Everyone has costs in going to a job. If you are only netting pennies per hour, you really can't afford that job. I went to a fast food outlet near me I've been going to periodically for years. The drive through line was very long, prompting people to park and get out to the walk up window. I saw that in a place that usually had 6-7 people working, there were two children, and one adult. There was food and garbage on the floor. The food was badly affected by the rushing of the children. Many other places are using illegals at ridiculous low wages. This is the USA after MAGA.

[@dadduorp]

@@The-Skinn More like the bots show theirs.

[@howardwhitney9314]

We couldn’t find people to dig the eire canal so immigrant Irish and Germans did the job. We couldn’t get enough men to help build the transcontinental RR so we imported from China. My relatives came from Scotland, my wife’s from Belgium. Former guys relatives came from Germany. Most of us are immigrants. Immigration makes this country work!

[@jasonbabcock2158]

I agree but of course there are a few select ignorant people ( like the Donald ) who don't believe in immigration nor want "those" people in our country.. the truth is for the most part we are all immigrants.

[@tysonreuter5788]

Times change, we don't need more people. Housing prices are high enough.

[@BadWolf762]

We didn't sneak across the borders, we sailed into Ellis Island legally.

[@BJMallory]

And for some of us who are called “immigrants,” we didn’t cross the border; the border crossed us.

[@whathell6t]

@@BadWolf762 Nope! It’s still illegal immigration towards Ellis Island according to the Naturalization and Alien Enemies Act of 1801.

[@destinationsunknowntheroadsles]

There has to be a solution to this mess. The farmer seems to have a good heart and is trying to help others.

[@brianjennings7644]

ban the GOP...problem solved.

[@joseecheagaray7620]

Farmers only worry because they are loosing their workers. They are hypocrite. They support Trump openly and proud. They got what they deserve

[@Raja1938]

Technology is already helping with some of the labor shortage. Some crops are better suited for mechanical harvesting and processing than others so far.

[@brianjennings7644]

@@Raja1938 north of Tucson, they set up a fully automatic corn field..drone tractors did everything,from plant , irrigation, to harvest..all it needed was to be scaled to fit a property. that was 5 yrs ago..and that's why Big Ag needs to run the Mom and Pop farms off they'r land..and will.

[@cristobalpacheco4202]

He may be a good guy, but his family is getting rich off the backs of immigrants, and at the same time being forced to break the law by hiring undocumented workers, I think this is the same family’s that lost a lot of money in 2017 during snowmagedden when his onion sheds collapsed under all the snow?

[@tammysharp2155]

A story every human being should see!! And a job every person should have to perform to appreciate that NO job performed on behalf of others should ever be judged as beneath any of us! And a heartfelt thank you to all our farmers🙏💪☺️🌻

[@steventinajero7208]

The truth is that americans are nothing with out the hispanic labor, with out them, gringos Will die of hungry, ,

[@mcjaguilar8667]

We're not ready for communism yet.

[@LAM77719]

Maybe this gentleman and other farmers of his mindset should testify before Congress. Nothing is going to get done unless someone starts pushing.

[@ww2remembered983]

They know the Republicans will block any help, reform, or progress. So that would be a waste of time.

[@juanasenjo8515]

@@ww2remembered983 Absolutely.! The repugnant Republicans will rather crops rot in the fields than allow these "aliens" a foothold in the US. Build a mighty wall and keep these undesirables out. Never mind the consequences to our economy and the welfare of all Americans in general.!

[@notahotshot]

Yeah, he should tell them all about how he needs low skilled workers he can underpay who are easily replaced if they get ill, injured, or otherwise can't work. I'm with you. We absolutely need the constant flood of cheap, replaceable, unskilled labor, so we can avoid raising prices, and we can maintain our economic comfort.

[@Raja1938]

Immigration reform won't happen because leaders know that illegals can be paid far less and require no minimum work conditions. They promote projects like the wall even they know they won't really work, because it makes it look like they're doing something for their voter base. Americans of all stripes love the cheap labor as long as they don't have to see it.

[@juanasenjo8515]

@@Raja1938 Even @$15.00 per hour, no Us citizen wants this kind of work. So having to rely on migrants is, and has been, the only way to go. Without these people to do the heavy lifting, everyone loses. Let's find a way to humanely and fairly allow them access to a job market and secure passage back and forth to it.

[@LAM77719]

This is why we need migrant workers. They are not the enemy. But this farmer is definitely one of the best.

[@fionabologna1768]

I use tractors and combines. I don't need illegal labor. All tresspassers better stay out of my fields. For cereals! 😆😆😆

[@jenniferdesjardins287]

@@fionabologna1768 but you have no idea about how to get legal farm workers. Use your own labor and see where it gets you. I wouldn’t buy anything from you. Period.

[@jenniferdesjardins287]

@owo グーチmoshi oh but they are. If they can can get papers, which is becoming more difficult in this country. American workers are lazy and expect more pay. Take a look at all the Hiring signs in this country right now. Can’t find anyone.

[@fionabologna1768]

@@jenniferdesjardins287 I do use my own labor. And you do eat things I grow. Corn syrup is in everything! 😆😆😆 Thanks for the money. Hope you enjoy all the goods my corn is in! 😆😆😆

[@fionabologna1768]

@@jenniferdesjardins287 Had to remind you, Sunshine. Any soda, bread, pre-packaged food, fast food, processed food you eat today, HAS MY CORN IN IT. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE MONEY. ENJOY MY CORN! 😆

[@luiswhatshisname7667]

Those are 6000 people that will never complain about vegetable prices again

[@josebravo7337]

Thing is we need to make vegetables more accessible to combat obesity in this nation.

[@ilerma78]

OMG I can just imagine this guy’s frustration for not having the help he needs 🙏🏼

[@perfct2u]

As the fifth generation of my family to work on a neighbor's farm, Thank You for spotlighting this. We need more reminders of where our food comes from and how it gets there. We need to treat all the people in this process with respect and gratitude. I am grateful for the chance to see behind the tractor- or curtain- more than just my grandparents gardens. It may take another Great Depression and WPA for Americans to be humbled and treat others with the same opportunities. Thank you to this farmer and his beliefs for his employees to get citizenship, even education!

[@gonzalez7678]

Hi, how are you doing?

[@carryclass6807]

forget the respect and gratitude, give em good pay and benefits

[@peacenow4456]

Damn right, finally someone is speaking the truth! Treat these kind,. had working people with the same respect your immigrant grandparents had.

[@smitty5890]

A good man for sure. Feels like paying it toward.

[@nickanderson8597]

But it's not. A couple more years of this and his family will be living in a car

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

He got free labor clearing his field so he can prep the fields for next season using machinery. Hoodwinked.

[@ranti-socialautocropper9890]

Yeah they should all come up and pick veggies at his farm. Thats what the family has banked on for years. Lol my p ssy hurtz. Lol

[@marisol033]

I have followed him ever since the pandemic started and I respect farmers because he shows us that bring our food to the table is a process and many of us do not appreciate it at all.

[@bonnierobinson8684]

Great report! Finally getting the truth out. Hope America sees this critical report! Thank you for the truth!

[@sandrarodriguez5602]

What's the truth?

[@TheChrismsanchez1]

@@sandrarodriguez5602 she doesn't know the truth. Bonnie is just virtue signaling.

[@gonzalez7678]

Hi sweetie, how are you doing?

[@mindareyes7565]

I’m an immigrant myself about 55 years ago. I know how hard it is to work in this country, luckily I came here through the proper channels, but I do have empathy for these workers. My deepest congratulations for mr Myers for giving his employees the chance to improve themselves. Very few employers do that. Bless you.

[@deanvoss7098]

There is not a labor shortage at all.. There is a PAY SHORTAGE..

[@blaselguezabal3073]

How is 16 bucks an hour a pay shortage???

[@canialee]

I'm a farmer and my workers can make up to $25/hr. No one wants to work hard anymore. There's a shortage. I flat rate my harvest and it's up to the worker on how much they want to make. I have a guy that comes in part time 4hrs a day and makes $100 and goes home. He produces and is making a killing on top of his day job on another farm. Most Americans cant do this work, I've tried and they quit by day two or dont come back after lunch. I give them monetary Incentives and pay them well, no one wants to do field work anymore. So I guess I'll just pass the added cost to the end consumer.

[@ilzium8210]

@@canialee 25 bucks an hour .where do i sign up im serious

[@dennismorris7573]

Field work - noble and difficult work we all need.

[@creolelady182]

as my ancestors who were slaves in the south would agree especially about whipped to death to make the master rich

[@patricksanders858]

How about a guest worker program? The field workers are sending their money home anyway, why not setup a transfer program so they can be transported TO the US during harvest and BACK HOME during the rest of the year? This way they can still make $, we get the labor AND they can invest in their towns, cities and countries. Allow a path to citizenship by investing in America or invest in their futures at home... by being home. 🏡

[@UranusGaseous]

Literally what this video is about.. about migrant workers. You literally suggested what this video covered.

[@tysonreuter5788]

Rich landowners want it, young working Americans don't need it.

[@notahotshot]

@@tysonreuter5788 Young working Americans don't need it. Right, you keep your bellies full with dreams and aspirations, and don't need the food the field workers harvest.

[@steveflor9942]

Between the issue of people willing to do this back breaking work and dwindling water supply, we are living at the edge of catastrophy.

[@petermacera9343]

So thankful for the hard working PEOPLE who farm and pick the food we eat and take for granted in this country. 🙏🏼

[@aek12]

They make the food energy for the country.

[@monicapeach3795]

Thank you for doing this story. I am second generation American. My parents were farm workers. The thought process that goes along with keeping these individuals out of the country is illogical. Good pick your own food then.

[@rgdssd]

Important points: 1. A labor shortage for a farmer is not the same as for other industries- your crop dies. 2. Cutting unemployment means nothing to farm labor- Americans aren’t applying for these jobs. 3. People say ‘pay living wages’- $16 per hour is a pretty decent wage, compared to the $7.50 or 8.00 minimum wage salaries in many states. How much should they pay, $25 per hour? That doesn’t make sense. 4. There’s a pool of laborers next door always ready to do the job. It’s a complex problem. We need innovative thinkers and problem solvers to resolve it.

[@BadWolf762]

There was a pool of workers back in the 1800s that were brought in to work the fields.........

[@AssBlasster]

That $16/hr is in Oregon...min wage is $12.50, so not that great. The real problem is cost of living relative to that wage. In Idaho, it may be cheaper but have fun trying to find cheap places to live near the farm. Apartment availability is scarce is the bigger towns. Yes they deserve a decent wage for the necessary physical demand that agricultural labor requires. It's no different for cops that get consistent good salaries for a dangerous job.

[@BoydGilbreath]

There is no shortage, in reality people in low paying jobs are being fired, and their jobs consolidated four to one or more. New hires are getting less money. No truth in the USA.

[@elimaderak9758]

Thank you for spreading the truth.

[@henryyung6999]

Are you saying no farm workers shortage, or no labor shortage in general? And how do you know low paying workers are getting laid off and consolidated 4 to 1 with lower pay?

[@GalacticEgg]

CORRECT. And, OH NO, they can't use slaves from Mexico! Boo hoo. I'd rather starve than support an industry that would fail without exploited labor

[@wendyc1902]

This show has been my favorite since i was a child, now its become pure propaganda.

[@shammydammy2610]

@@GalacticEgg Sure, you'd rather starve.

[@caroletomlinson5480]

And what is wrong with paying $23 an hour? Young teens worked the fields in Kansas and Missouri when I was growing up, and I bet they would do it again for $23/hr. It doesn’t need be a lifelong, backbreaking job for the young, but it helps them and their families. And it helps the farmer. As with corporations (and million-dollar farms are just that) everywhere, great profits are not an American right.

[@gonzalez7678]

Hi sweetie

[@gonzalez7678]

How are you doing?

[@Larry93215]

I appreciate farm workers I've done it also God bless them

[@VSE4me1]

We need a proper guest worker program, not whining about the border.

[@GalacticEgg]

Exactly. But they don't want "workers." They want SLAVES they can EXPLOIT.

[@dalethomas1726]

Legal immigration programs and guest worker programs can work together in theory. They never will. What guest worker wants to go back to a country where you live on a dirt floor in a one room tin or wood shed, sleep in a hammock with 3 other people, do not have electricity, have no bathroom facilities, your bath comes from a shallow well and a five gallon bucket standing naked in the yard and the water smells. I am an American living in southern Mexico doing a little self appointed humanitarian work. I live a little better than that, but I live among people who live like that. 99.9% of you reading this would not even consider to live in the conditions that I am living in. I could return, but I love the small difference that I make in someone's life. My experiece. Thousands and millions would love even to be guest workers in the US. The Mexican government will not grant visas for the reason listed above. Some of my friends have tried. I do not condone illegal immigration, but I see hungry people everyday. Average wage for a male worker in my area is $10 US per day. A bag of black beans at Walmart in the US costs 89 cents. My sister works there. That same bag of beans costs $1.50 to $2.00 US in my town. And on a $10 per day salary. Assume that you had to pay 20% percent of your daily pay for a bag of beans, every day.

[@cami-loo108]

Wait until the "American" people have to pay more for their food because of labor shortages. This farmer actually gets it. Well done CBS, great reporting.

[@notahotshot]

Yes, this farmer understands that he can turn a bigger profit if he uses non-permanent, low wage, migrant workers, and doesn't have to pay workers compensation, unemployment, or healthcare benefits.

[@anntyler6902]

I don't mind paying more for food. I like safety over cheap food.

[@madfx8058]

I live in an agricultural area in SoCal, growers here have been depressing wages since the beginning by pitting workers of different ethnic groups and citizenship statuses against each other. From Mexicans vs Mexican-Americans, Japanese vs Okie, Filipino vs Mexican etc etc.. Alot of these "employers" also act as slumlords by building housing and shantytowns on their property, collecting rent from their very own employees. The only way workers have been able to combat this is by building unity amongst each other. It happened here in my hometown in 1903, it happened again in 65 with Filipino and Mexican grapeworkers in Delano. In today's world Big Ag is multinational, we need unity on a broader level. The land belongs to the people who work it, you cannot deny the social capital that the common worker possesses. Especially those who've worked from the bottom up over several generations. We need worker owned cooperatives, we need more democracy in the workplace...

[@abcdef-kx2qt]

U F W !!

[@omaralvear1039]

We need more people like this. Bless you and god bless these hard working families

[@sadiemcnabb4444]

Between the shipping shortage last year and the labor shortage this year, food is about to get really expensive.

[@jeffmonaghan]

I was a hired hand for years. It's hard work. Low pay. I felt close to God, but I am Catholic. I worked on dairy farms, and I never went out West. It's a hard life.

[@justsayen2024]

Giving the food away instead of letting it rot in the field is educational both for the population and fulfilling knowing that you didn't just let food go to waste.

[@kathleenshannon8284]

You seem like a good man and employer, may you be blessed with miracle harvests.

[@hollitheexaltedempress6957]

This is an end to industrial farming. A new approach is looming. No matter how much they are paid, farming should come back to citizens on small farms.

[@BlackTar100]

I t5hink that's a great idea. Plus, you know how and what you are doing to your crops.

[@Raja1938]

Far from it. With fewer manual labors, industrial farming will become bigger then ever since they're the ones with the capital to develop mechanized agriculture.

[@gonzalez7678]

@@Raja1938 hi sweetie

[@MarcusHunt-rp1cv]

Not possible

[@alejandrogonzalez5326]

I make 14$ an hour on a apple farm. I consider myself rich I have a roof a bed and food on my fridge how can people complain. I pay my taxes to so I actually get payed 12$ an hour lol

[@igors.787]

Bravo my friend.

[@nightheist2191]

You that pubg guy from insta 😀👍🏻

[@cindymorrison_caravanlifej3536]

There have been worker shortages for years I know as a recruiter it’s been this way for over 5-10 years. That’s why employers want j1visa students to help backfill open positions. Workers don’t want to do labor intensive work.

[@creolelady182]

This is true. No matter what money you offer, you are not gong to get somebody to do intensive labor

[@mattalford3932]

@@creolelady182 because it sucks. It destroys your body, and doesn't pay enough. Better money not doing that type of labor. Oh, and skilled workers aren't payed enough for their skill set.

[@creolelady182]

@@mattalford3932 True

[@adambomb30]

Poverty/Starvation wages for work that destroys your body before you're 40 isn't going to attract a lot of people for sure.

[@mattalford3932]

@@adambomb30 a farm in Florida did an experiment. They hired over 20 Americans, and a bunch of immigrants for the summer. Only like 2 Americans lasted all summer. All the immigrants lasted all summer. Plus lots of Americans are reevaluating their career choices. Hard labor doesn't work for them.

[@mindareyes7565]

Kudos to this farmer!! I salute you. May god bless you and your group.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Republicans always say Americans are willing to do this job.

[@eko2_]

Democrats always say nothing about illegal immigrants doing this job.

[@ufosrus]

@@eko2_ ???

[@stgonzales]

And pinocchio was a real boy..🤣🤣🤣

[@GalacticEgg]

They are. You really think these farmers are paying illegal aliens fair wages? Get real. There's a reason they like hiring them

[@anntrope491]

YEAH!! COME ON REPUBLICANS...GET WORKING FOR MINIMUM WAGE...PICKING CROPS, & PLUCKING CHICKENS !!! MAYBE YOU WILL STOP HATING ON IMMAGRANTS!!!

[@EnronnSierra]

Even if you made the wages attractive for Americans, they still would not do that kind of work. Young people who can’t find work, would rather TikTok all day. Also, when you look at all the homeless Americans you see in the cities who would prefer remain so, that tells you how much something is messed up. The immigrants come to the US and they work hard and make good use of the little they earn. If they can, why can’t Americans. The problem is, people in America are always looking for someone to blame and point fingers when they should be looking in the mirror,

[@elizabethosborne5650]

You are absolutely correct! Perfectly stated, and thank you!

[@EnronnSierra]

Have you been a Whole Foods lately? I mostly see white Americans working in these stores and they ain’t earning a living wage, sometimes they have to work three jobs to make ends meet. I’m sure working in Whole Foods is a better job than being in the scorching sun all day picking fruits and veggies. Yet, these immigrants make it work on the little they earn. The point remains, you could make wages be 50 an hour, most Americans don’t want to do this. The only work most Americans want to do is wake up and touch a screen or unbox a product.

[@kwebster62]

Americans 'can'. The difference is, they don't have to. The taxpayer-funded government will pay them even if they don't work.

[@adambomb30]

@@EnronnSierra They don't "make it work" as most of them live in squalid conditions. The only thing keeping their families from starving to death is welfare from white taxpayers.

[@EnronnSierra]

Most of them don’t live in squalid conditions, thats just a generalization. Why would you leave squalid conditions to go live in the same conditions? Their lives are not perfect in the US and I have communicated with many who make a life in the US. Also, to say its welfare and ‘white tax payers’ immediately proves which camp you are in. I pay taxes too, and I am not white, in fact, thank you for reminding me, because I need to call IRS Thursday about the 600 dollars they promised to give me back after the ‘dead cycle’. I live in a city where if you look in the parks and tents, the vast majority are white. I was at the bust stop recently and two young white men were waiting on a bus too, one in sweat pants with no underwear on and syringes peeking out of his back pack with macaroni and cheese from Panera bread. What exactly caused these two white young men to go that path? You wanna bet if they were asked to go pick Asparagus like these hard working immigrants they would jump at the chance? Yet, my taxes is contributing to the 200 million each year spent on homeless services for these poor able bodied young white boys to hang out at bus stops with used syringes and sores all over.

[@margaritacanincia1906]

Great human being! I honor and respect you!

[@VicToriousCollecTion]

What we need to do is gather together each individual communities and like minded neighbors and grow our own food period

[@monicaluketich3106]

It would be much easier on the environment: no feedlots with tons of manure going to waste, less fuel to drive the trucks to deliver the food, food that is fresher. I am trying to coordinate with my neighbors to do our small part.

[@travelingdanceronmodernslavery]

YES! I lived on the Indian reservation and just a tiny plot of land grew enough food to feed 10 people with minimal work. If people prioritized getting their hands dirty for 2 hours a day instead of sports, TV, social media, we do NOT need migrant workers that is a lie. We just need them in our current system the way it’s designed but not if we had community gardens and old forms of organic farming. People have so much food growing in their gardens they give it away all summer long.

[@diplosoriano9898]

Good luck 😂😂😂

[@andyroo9381]

This farmer/land owner says he is a "staunch conservative"!?! How refreshing to hear a conservative speak with empathy toward someone else. I was TRULY shocked when it was said he was a "staunch conservative"!

[@ryanjensen8883]

Really? Its sounds like he is only interestsed in conserving his business.

[@famousbowl9926]

You realize farmers are all just rich conpanies and conglomerates that dont give a crap about you right? F the farmers i don't care

[@hlegler]

Beautiful! The man featured in this video is a staunch conservative who gives his workers a path toward education, citizenship and personal growth. This is what true conservativism is all about. Honoring hard work, education, diversity, and life.

[@jjoflower6811]

That's what being a republican used to be about. Now I don't even recognize the party.

[@gonzalez7678]

Hi sweetie, how are you?

[@ChristForToday101]

Thank you for this it's very helpful information

[@USA50_]

We should boycott any product that uses majority labor from people who are here without US permission! American farmers MUST mechanize the processes to reduce our need for foreign labor.

[@msdramamusic]

I got tired of seeing Farmers for Trump signs near me I started my own farm. He is the reason why farmers don't have workers.

[@milfordcivic6755]

I wouldn't want to work for a Trump Qdummy either.

[@tysonreuter5788]

He's the reason farmers don't have CHEAP workers, there's a difference.

[@PedroRodriguez-jh9jx]

How stupid are you for real, I've lived and farmed for four different men in my lifetime,and to tell you the truth,not a single one of them wanted to pay but they expected 💯 from you. But then here comes a new hirer,how much more than what I made in two years. And you want to complain

[@stevespring1692]

@@tysonreuter5788 Ha- Ha- I'm a farmer and my bottom line improved with Trump. You must have a horrible book keeper. 🤣😂🤣😂🤡

[@carmenortiz5294]

Sorry, honey, but Trump is no longer president, you must mean BIDEN and the useless HARRIS. You started your own farm? Yeah, sure, because you saw Farmer for Trump signs and needed to hire workers? How stupid do you think people are?

[@cindymorrison_caravanlifej3536]

Yes they don’t give migrants workers the props they deserve

[@tysonreuter5788]

For being exploited? And you think you're on the good side?

[@ALwin808]

So Sad…..and thank you for sharing but you and your family will be blessed :)

[@shybry3371]

Help out the homeless. Give them the jobs and help they need.

[@Sulfen]

A lot of them don't or can't do this kind of labor lol

[@shybry3371]

@@Sulfen I know, i just don't think they should complain about not getting cheap labor.

[@RA-dn2ic]

They’re lazy af they want handouts not jobs

[@laurah6381]

@@RA-dn2ic wow-read a book, maybe?

[@rrrobeltnest7295]

Pretty much all of the construction trades are immigrant workers the immigrants took on the better jobs I’m confused though so many homeless people with no jobs why aren’t they out there $16 an hour is not bad

[@MR-dp2zs]

They're homeless with no jobs not bcuz of what they're paying it's bcuz they're just plain lazy

[@lancelessard2491]

In Europe, they have had a critical labor shortage for decades, and a lot of this type of field work has been mechanized. The U.S. lags far behind in that respect simply because labor has been so plentiful (and under the table) for so long. Mechanization will be the result. It's the natural progression, and it will happen.

[@divaelizondo]

God bless you Mr Myers what you do for those migrants is absolutely heartwarming to see that there's still some humanity left in this country

[@bbbt8090]

A good man! Thx Brother

[@randomsh-t917]

Send those on unemployment to the fields please. They need to learn work ethic and get off the government cheese. Subsidize the farmers to keep them profitable. Thank you American farmers.

[@andyginterblues2961]

Sure looks to me like my siblings thought that farm work is too hard. Now the farm is gone, brother joined the army and sister is slaving at a farm market, her son is about to go to prison for dealing drugs. My surviving family disgusts me.

[@x_8643]

How come the “pay people a decent wage and they’ll work for you” that we yell, rightfully, at the service industry suddenly doesn’t apply to the agricultural industry? You say in the video that it’s very hard work, you say that most people would demand higher wages to work there… and then don’t connect the very simple two dots

[@mariacastro7355]

You are an amazing person

[@hwn8088]

That is what happens when u take things for granted, looks easy until u have to do it yourself. Now days everyone can't put their phone down, so they don't know what hard work is .

[@deborahmartin1268]

What you said ,maybe it's time to make ppl in the USA to work on the farms picking crops ,my mother grandmother picked cotton, I as a child picked black berries, green bell peppers, ,it's hard work .Americans need to go pick the fields or stop complaining about immigrants coming to take on these jobs . GOD BLESS ALL IMMIGRANTS who work the fields much respect and love. SHALOM JOHN3:16❤

[@Mdebacle]

A partial solution would be let people cut asparagus and keep half.

[@monicaluketich3106]

@Don Juan go back under your rock! Allowing the workers to keep some of the crop is bartering, not socialism.

[@sonofroderick4255]

Thank you. I must have missed that part, but thanks. You're right an hour isn't worth it.

[@gonzalez7678]

Hi, you look cute

[@pratheepaselvarajah1949]

A heart-wrenching story! I wish this could not be true.

[@Mel-tw6qv]

The farmers in my area have automated almost everything. I don’t see many people working in the fields anymore.

[@christianz-jg2bh]

Maybe these workers have something valuable to teach us before its all automated. Automation also kills jobs taking another toll on the economy

[@HablemosDelHuerto]

Great documentary. There are always solutions that would allow everyone in the equation to have his/her share.

[@onlyhalfbad333]

It boggles my mind that Americans think business and money is what keeps America afloat. It’s the farmers. The literal backbone of the country that feeds the nation as a whole. Such an under appreciated necessity work that keeps ppl alive and the world going.

[@thelonecabbage7834]

The thing that gets me, is that there are people who sit behind a desk, pressing keys for a living, making multiple times what field laborers do.

[@raymondaten2179]

Actually as to why it's that way. In order for the workers to be paid well, the farmer has to make money. Labors not there only cost. If they paid there workers more, with everything else they pay to run the farm, they wouldn't have any money left to pay there bills and survive the rest of the year. If they could afford it pay higher, then food costs at the store would be even higher. You have to decide what's more important to you. Pay the workers better and pay higher prices at the store, or you pay less expensive prices at store, but the workers are paid less.

[@judykinsman3258]

A staunch conservative with liberal values. Welcome to US politics.

[@garotadagavea]

I don't think he himself understands that.

[@judykinsman3258]

@@garotadagavea I totally agree with you.

[@joeblank618]

When I was a teen (late 70s early 80s) I picked apples , strawberries, pears , as did many other kids , there were also migrant workers but the majority of the workers were Americans. I feel sorry for today's youth missing out on that experience, I have many cherished memories from those years.

[@GalacticEgg]

They don't want to hire people that might be able to sue for injuries or maltreatment. They don't want to pay minimum wage.

[@187tolantongo]

BLESS OUR FARM WORKERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

[@dereka8041]

How ironic. I start a job, on July 6th, aiding/tracking migrant agriculture workers. I'm not joking. I start on July 6th.

[@charlesmitchell9690]

Carrying buckets full of weight by the hand HURTS. You'd be surprised at the attachments to things like scooters skateboards mobile electric powered items to hold and or carry weight.

[@GalacticEgg]

Yeah, it's part of why farmers don't want legal employees. Most farms don't have proper safety measures in place, some don't even let their labor use the bathroom during working hours. They want slaves who can't sue or don't speak enough English to know their rights, who they can pay for well under minimum wage and offer no benefits.

[@blinkcamlove]

7:45 I thought they did have a path towards citizenship. We need to allow that!

[@severedyakhead9702]

No.

[@elizabethosborne5650]

Absolutely right!

[@kwebster62]

I don't disagree that some immigration should be allowed, and that barriers are tough. But in the end, how many people do you think is the right number for this country? 400 million? 600 million? More?

[@BlackTar100]

@@kwebster62 "400 million? 600 million? More?" That's an exaggeration, and you know it.

[@kwebster62]

@@BlackTar100 You seem to only considering current numbers. I'm thinking ahead. This country has added 150 million to the population in the last 60 years (almost double). Some projections have us adding another 110 million, to the mid-400 million range, just in the next 40 years or so...most of that due to immigration and its effects. 40 years is not that long of a period. And if policies become more "progressive", the number could be higher. So how is that an exaggeration? www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/10/05/future-immigration-will-change-the-face-of-america-by-2065/

[@Flowerhead247]

This business owner is a good man.

[@bresams2917]

4:13 Wow❤️

[@bjorntsui]

Should copy Australia and get British backpackers to pick crops

[@jjoflower6811]

That's a whole other story of abuse.

[@charlesmitchell9690]

So I spent 5 seconds watching people follow an order and there isnt one carrying a tool that doesn't make them bend crouch sit. Not one was in a mobilized device meaning wheelchair with a tool that could cut hold etc. Manual labor sucks especially when the farmland owner has never reached out to an industry like metalworkers for help in creating a tool to move production faster quicker with less injury including a shade device other than a sombrero

[@AC-sn5io]

I am an American and I picked strawberries, from 1982 to 1984, as a teenager, after that they quit using the teens up in Washington State, as paid helpers, the jobs went to the migrant workers, and people wonder why our Children are lazy and lack work ethics, it was a great summer job, but those were the days.

[@natureboy6885]

Am from jamaica i love to work there

[@mlecarre2057]

Thais go to Sweden for summer berries and go home…that field would be clean with Thai workers…

[@tedadams1324]

I am a Rock-Ribbed Republican and these immigrants are what this country is all about!!!! These folks believe in HARD WORK and their own FAMILY and FAITH. I vote "YES" for these lovely people!

[@joez3706]

What is Rock-Ribbed? 🤔

[@tedadams1324]

@@joez3706 Here is the definition. In my comment, the second meaning applies. rock-ribbed (rŏk′rĭbd′) adj. 1. Having rocks or rock outcroppings; rocky. 2. Firm and unyielding, especially with regard to one's principles, loyalties, or beliefs: a rock-ribbed conservative.

[@tedadams1324]

@@joez3706 By the way, thanks for asking. Most people aren't that intellectually curious. They would be content to never learning the meaning of something they didn't know.

[@catlife5483]

Your so compassionate towards us, thank you!

[@blaselguezabal3073]

Good Job Shay 👏👍🏼

[@USA50_]

American Citizens/guest workers don't have to work for industries that are heavily reliant on manual labor because they have no incentive to modernize their needs. If businesses would modernize and pay Citizens/guest workers more we wouldn't have labor shortages.

[@liberalinoklahoma1888]

I grew up working such fields all over the west in the 50s and 60s , we stayed in the car ,those of us too young to work , and as soon as we could pick a fruit and put it in a basket we had a full time job , I thought of those that did not have to work and went to school as rich .

[@esmeraldamaya8027]

If you give them a path to citizenship. they will not use such privilege to continuing being farm workers; they would leave the fields for better jobs. I know this because I did it!

[@staralioflundnv]

Esmeralda Maya, exactly! I've taught in Title 1 public schools for well over 25 years, and know personally hundreds of families and individuals who have done as yourself, which I salute and give you much respect for that and for being a productive member in America! Thank you and GOD Bless!

[@esmeraldamaya8027]

@@staralioflundnv Thank you for such a nice appreciation!

[@staralioflundnv]

@@esmeraldamaya8027 --All the BEST to you, Esmeralda!

[@rosaliamartinez8956]

What us wrong with that ? Belive They would still have an endless pool of workers from migrents.

[@TheHonestPeanut]

And that's a bad thing?

[@williamgee2152]

Thank you for paying it forward. May THEE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS & KEEP YOU.

[@sonofroderick4255]

Kudos to Mr. Meyers!!!!

[@monsterclosetcom]

They just don’t want to pay what it would take to find domestic labor, and prefer to exploit Mexican workers. Would have been enlightening to examine the effect on profit margins with $23/hr pay.

[@milfordcivic6755]

Would be much more expensive for food, that's for sure. Restaurants would go belly up - nobody would be able to afford to eat out.

[@tysonreuter5788]

@@milfordcivic6755 so what? you don't have a right to exploited illegal labor.

[@BadWolf762]

@@milfordcivic6755 That's what they said about slavery in 1862 before the War of Northern Aggression. "If we get rid of slavery no one will be able to afford clothes".

[@monicaluketich3106]

Get rid of some of the middle men, create co-ops that sell directly to canning companies, to restaurants and to individuals. Farmers get only pennies of the dollar for the food in the stores.

[@igors.787]

@@tysonreuter5788 all immigration must be legal not illegal.

[@trainships1795]

Farmers should be investing in more automation. The asparagus can be harvested by machines that exist today. Most of this automation equipment is in use in Europe. 1 man with a machine can harvest more produce in a day than a whole crew of migrant workers in a week. Resulting in lower cost of production and saving that can be passed on to consumers.

[@Mtnshell56]

A good farmer and a good man

[@spark2053]

Sad 😢 bring ppl to help! A lot of people don’t understand farmers need farm workers!!!! I’m happy those people there can see that is not easy

[@sjoncb]

*FALSE* Theres no shortage of labor, theres a shortage in pay.

[@MrTachyon3000]

He stated they pay $16 per hour. I think that's pretty good for a job that does not require education.

[@j.d.garcia2757]

The McDonald's, Wendy's,Taco Bell, Taco Villa ,7-11, Stripes, etc,etc, ask them maybe they help farmers

[@oa1986]

Good for them the farmers giving away their product !

[@susanabrown1736]

The problem of not finding enough farmworkers needs to be resolve with Congress, granting more visas for Mexicans to do this type of work and earning good wages. I don't care how much I pay for a watermelon as long I know the workers got paid well every Friday.

[@MR-dp2zs]

@Susana Brown Good wages would be part of it, how bout putting them on a path to getting their citizenship as well.

[@agustinhidalgo405]

Pretty soon that salad is gonna cost 50 bucks,

[@Eric-wt8wr]

He's a smart farmer. Good luck with those other ones who hate against good people

[@Paul-iu1om]

Yes sir right on ,

[@r.b.1613]

Why work? We've lost a generation that thinks a job is standing on a corner & begging for money. Same as going to work...