February 13, 2025
The kickoff to the 2025 season has begun! It may be cold outside, but that makes the warmth of the greenhouses that much more enjoyable at this time of year.
It never fails, our first week of planting is always one of the coldest weeks of the year, so why would this year be any different? The smell of soil fills the air as we begin planting the first hanging baskets and patio pots of the season and begin seeding the first vegetable transplants that will go into the ground in a few short months.
Onions, onions, la la la
The first transplants to be planted are always onions. Once the onions are seeded into what are called plug sheets, they are placed onto our heated concrete to germinate.
Once germinated or sprouted, we will move the seedlings to a different greenhouse where they will continue to grow until we are able to take those plants and transplant them into the ground in our high tunnels in late March or early April, all weather dependent of course.
This is just the beginning of our seeding schedule. Soon, we’ll be planting melons, peppers, brassicas, and more!
Recapping the D.C. trip
Not only did we kick off our planting season this week, but Jenna spent the week in Washington D.C. at the National Council of Agricultural Employers Annual Meeting. While she was there, she spent a day on Capitol Hill, meeting with the delegates from Minnesota and informing them about the importance of Minnesota agriculture and the issues our industry face. What did she take away from her time in D.C.? Here’s a recap from Jenna:
While we’ve been attending the National Council of Agricultural Employers Annual Meeting for many years, I would be lying if I didn’t say the trip to Washington D.C. was a bit unique this year. With a recent transition of leadership and a lot of unknowns about the current session of Congress, the climate, I would say, was cautiously optimistic. Overall, as an agricultural industry, the biggest issue across the country is agricultural labor. So, as I went to The Hill to share my own story with the Minnesota delegates, these are the three crucial points I brought with me.
1. Ag Labor Needs Reform
As an agricultural employer who uses the H-2A agricultural guest worker visa program, the legal path to employ seasonal guest workers, we NEED reform. There hasn’t been reform to the H-2A program in 39 years. 39 years!
Reform to the H-2A program is critical because:
- We need a stable workforce. It’s proven that there are not enough employees to fill all of the open positions within the agricultural industry.
- These positions are seasonal and temporary.
- The H-2A program provides these key pieces. PLEASE remember that the H-2A visa program is NOT immigration. We understand immigration is important, but these are two very different issues.
2. We're Now a Net Importer of Food
The US has become a net importer of food instead of net exporter. This is not because growers cannot produce enough food. It is because of the regulations that are placed upon our industry and we can no longer compete, forcing so many farmers and growers to go out of business because they just can’t make ends meet.
- Is this something we are ok with? Do we want to rely on other countries to produce our food, knowing that they do not have the safety standards like worker protection or food safety standards in place?
- If we don’t do something to assist the agricultural community, particularly through the H-2A program and ag labor, we are going to be relying on other countries for our food.
3. Family Farms Face Hard Choices
Family farms are making hard decisions about whether to continue a legacy or call it quits.
- Without a stable workforce and a bit more optimism for the agriculture community, family farms are asking why? Why should we continue doing what we are doing?
- Farms are liquidating land to stay in business.
These are all real things that are happening and with the help of our elected officials, they could do things to support and save local agriculture.
Some Reasons for Hope
This isn’t the first time I’ve shared these points with the Minnesota delegation, but it is probably the first time that every single legislative aide I met with knew about, and had a fairly good understanding of, the H-2A program. That means they are hearing about it regularly, and that is exactly what they told me as well.
While a complete overhaul of the program would be amazing, we know that isn’t going to happen. What we’re asking for is a nugget of relief. Just something to get the ball rolling, something to get both sides working together. The way we see it, this is not actually political. It’s a food security issue, which in turn becomes a national security issue.
Work has been done over the past few years and we’ve been close to change, but it always fizzles out at the last minute. Personally, I don’t want to rely on other countries for our food, so I remain hopeful that at some point both sides will come together and get something done for America’s farmers.
We Plan to Keep Growing For You
In closing, I know this topic isn't as fun to talk about as, say, onion seedlings. But I think that it’s important to understand why we are seeing rising food costs and what our local producers are facing. If you love the idea of locally grown food, these issues should matter to you too.
It’s not just in Minnesota. I sat with several Washington state growers, and they shared some very touching data that hits home. In 2022, a bin of apples, which is 20 bushels, cost 70% in labor. In 2024, that same bin of apples now costs a grower 90% in labor. That doesn’t leave much for the grower.
So, with skin in the game and boots on the ground, I did my part and shared my story, issues, and requests for change and support.
