Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/497437
www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower MAY 1, 2015 31 and fully commit to meet them. Growers face liabilities if their practices are discriminatory or unfair, Dave Fulton cautioned. Whitley Fulton outlined steps required of employers using H-2A, with specific paperwork required in stages leading up to the planned arrival of approved workers. One form is required for Day 60, another for Day 45 and so on, with certifications and approvals needed in a timely way. Between Days 45 and 30, designated housing for guest workers must be inspected and approved, for example. As the process in the United States continues, a related process gets underway in the guest worker's home country for interviews and visa applications. The State Department screens out any individual who has previously entered the U.S. illegally. Frostad said MasLabor designated an agent in Mexico to assist worker applicants there with processes and transportation. A caseworker kept Frostad informed of progress on all the moving pieces of the process. What's this help cost? MasLabor says a rough estimate would be $3,625 "per job order or contract, regardless of the number of guest workers on the contract." Most employers would use a single job order in a year; additional job orders are highly discounted. Other costs would include items that in the past were paid by workers but are now paid by employ- ers. MasLabor says those fees can be $420 per worker, nearly half of which is the State Department's fee for a single visa. Frostad says a significant additional cost is housing. His farm has worker housing for up to 170 people. In 2008, he spent an estimated $8,500 per bed to build housing. His total expenses were more than offset by the added help at harvest time, he said. Dave Fulton said the results come from bringing back good workers year after year. "Every one of these workers is motivated and will work his butt off," he said. H-2A gets its share of complaints but it's not about to go away. Congress shows no signs of authorizing a replacement program. "We're probably stuck with what we've got," Dave Fulton said. MasLabor is not the only provider of H-2A services. There are dozens of H-2A agents in the U.S., says Mike Gempler, executive director of the Washington Growers League. Some companies have in-house expertise. In Washington State, the largest provider of H-2A assis- tance is the Washington Farm Labor Association, said Gempler. • Continued from Page 29 TJ MULLINAX/GOOD FRUIT GROWER Workers arrive at their housing outside of Royal City. In Washington State, the Washington Farm Labor Association is the largest provider of H-2A assistance. Unmatched Performance, Quality Built and Affordable! ENGINEERING RELIABILITY & PERFORMANCE 2921 Sutherland Park Dr., Yakima, WA 98903 509-248-0318 fax 509-248-0914 hfhauff@gmail.com www.hfhauff.com Best Technology We have been using Victair Sprayer on our own farm for 40+ years. When I went into business for myself, the Victair was a natural choice. It has exceptional coverage (what else do you buy a sprayer for), it's easy to maintain, and using lower HP tractors saves on fuel costs. While in the commercial application business for 35 years, we have sprayed grapes, almonds, tree fruit, citrus, walnuts, and pecans. This sprayer can handle them all. Because of the small droplet technology (50 micron), we can use less water while maintaining coverage and, therefore, less chemicals—usually 30 to 40 percent less. This is the compact sprayer that can really handle the big jobs. It's the best technology on the market. Larry Meisner, Kerman, California H.F. HAUFF COMPANY INC. Hauff 4-15-11_3/4 vert dummy 5/10/13 8:54 AM Page 1