H-2A guest workers are the backbone of Yuma agriculture — vital to feeding America

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) -Behind every grocery store shelf is a story few of us see. Yuma is recognized as the winter lettuce capital of the world and the foundation of American agriculture. H-2A workers are a big part of that story.

“They are very hard workers. It's hard to replace those employees,” said Valentin Sierra of Amigo Farms.

More than 175 different crops are grown in the Yuma area. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Yuma agriculture generated $1.3 billion in direct sales in 2022. But those numbers only tell part of the story. The fields are tended by H-2A guest workers who are the backbone of this operation year after year.

“We have dedicated workers through the H-2A guest program that have been with the company for about 20 years. They keep coming back every year. They know our policies and rules, our safety program. Some of them could probably run the crews themselves. They are very important to us — they are very dedicated workers. We trust them. They are safe, and it makes it all better for the company and the produce when you're receiving it,” Sierra said.

The H-2A visa program was officially established in 1986 and is one of the most popular programs in the U.S. for temporary and seasonal agricultural workers. Eight thousand workers in Yuma County are certified H-2A visa holders.

“What they earn in a week working there in agriculture they can earn it here in three. That's why the H-2A program was invented — because some of them just work three days, make what they would make in a week over there and then head back. Then we were short-handed the rest of the week and produce has to be harvested,” Sierra added.

All H-2A agriculture workers are paid an hourly rate of $17.51, mandated by the Department of Labor. These workers make a sacrifice to get paid more working in America than in Mexico.

“If you take advantage of the money you earn here, it's worth it to wake up and come to work this early in the morning because there are good opportunities to work,” said Ruben De La Rosa, a worker.

Male agriculture workers tend to be the dominant gender in the fields, but this type of work does not discriminate.

“We are treated equal. No — if I am treated different because I'm a woman? No. We are all the same,” said Lucia Patiño, a worker.

H-2A visa workers are the backbone of agriculture, and without them, harvesting wouldn't be possible. With technology advancing, there's always a fear that tech could replace their labor.

“It's very crucial — that's our backbone. Without them, harvesting wouldn't be able to get done. Salads wouldn't be able to get to your table. A lot of companies are turning to automated harvesting, but even that — there's errors. It's not going to be 100 percent. There are areas where machines can't get into where people can, or some of the quality effects are better with hand harvesting instead of automated harvesting,” Sierra said.

As technology continues to evolve and reshape labor, there is still a need for agriculture workers because without them America could be left hungry.

H-2A visa workers are extremely dedicated workers who make sacrifices to make a living doing one of the most thankless jobs — feeding America.