Wagner-Peyser Act

The top five (5) labor–intensive crops, the months of heavy activity, and the geographic area of prime activity are listed below:

Apples– August through October is the heaviest activity period in orchards located in Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan Counties

• In 2013, NASS USDA government Statistics listed West Virginia ranked 9th in the nation for apple production Peaches– July through August is the heaviest activity period in orchards located in Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan Counties

• In 2013, the NASS USDA government Statistics indicated the state held a national ranking of 12th place for the production of peaches

Note: Some of the larger orchards are planting berries which have increased activity during Mid– May through September and these farms are located in Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan Counties.

Hay and other hay products– May through September is the heaviest activity period with locations in Jackson, Greenbrier, Preston, Hampshire and Mason Counties

Corn for grain– April through October is the heaviest activity period on farms located in Jefferson, Mason, Hardy, Preston, Pendleton, Wood, Randolph, Berkeley and Monroe Counties.

Soybeans–April through October is the heaviest activity period on farms located in Mason, Jefferson, Hardy and Berkeley Counties

2) Summarize the agricultural employers’ needs in the State (i.e. are they predominantly hiring local or foreign workers, are they expressing that there is a scarcity in the agricultural workforce); and The Migrant and Seasonal farmworker (MSFW) population has changed over the years but their numbers of have stabilized. There are fewer families making the journey up the migrant trail from Florida through the Carolinas, Georgia, etc., before stopping in West Virginia (WV) to work. In the Eastern Panhandle once harvesting activities associated with the fruit and berry season decreases these migratory workers have already secured work or they will seek assistance from the MSFW Outreach staff to help them find work in another state north of WV. When farm workers arrive they may need assistance with food until they receive their first paycheck. Additionally, some workers do not wish to stay in employer provided dwellings; they may request help with finding temporary suitable and affordable housing. There are local resources available which are offered to them.

During the farm workers’ registration/orientation process the full array of services which a MSFW may choose to utilize are explained to him/her, as well as written materials regarding community services are distributed to everyone.

As previously reported, the majority of the WV farms are family farms and family members and friends generally, are able to complete required tasks related to farming activities. However, the medium to large farm owners depend upon securing local workers as well as foreign workers to ensure they have sufficient labor to meet their respective needs. In 2014 WV agricultural employers received certification for (37) H2–A workers and the state ranked 37th out of 50 states for certification of H2–A workers. Upon reviewing the state’s last four (4) years of foreign labor certification data, the number of H2–A agricultural employers in the state has more than doubled with a corresponding increase in foreign laborers working in the fields and orchards.

The agricultural employers in this state are experiencing serious problems locating, hiring and keeping local agricultural workers who are willing, able and available for work. The work is labor intensive and many farms are located in rural areas some distance away from public transportation. Many U. S. workers in WV have refused these farm jobs and informed employers they cannot work for the following reasons.

Agricultural jobs are not acceptable because–

a) the physically demanding work requires a worker to be outside in extreme temperatures

b) the pay is too low

c) they do not have transportation to the job site

d) they do not have a valid driver’s license

Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFWs)

Farmworkers are unique because they have chosen to perform labor intensive work to help put food on the family table for themselves and others. Today, with the big corporate farms dominating specific food markets; independent farmers cannot compete with big farms in automation, marketing and distribution. Therefore, family farm owners generally pay minimum wage which may not be a “livable” wage for a person responsible for meeting the needs of his/her family members.

And in West Virginia farmworkers must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license to travel to the farms that are primarily located in the rural hills and hollows around this state. These obstacles exist and make farm work less attractive to them.

3) Identifying any economic, natural, or other factors that are affecting agriculture in the State or any projected factors that will affect agriculture in the State. In WV a new phenomenon has gained momentum from schools to community centers and churches. Tunnel farms are popping up everywhere. Tunnel farming, aquaculture and indoor tier farming are extending the vegetable crop season. These innovative alternative farm methods have a positive impact on agriculture because the harvest season is extended; the plants remain outdoors, generally grow larger than field plants, have a higher yield and produce better quality of fruits and vegetables with less disease and insect damage.

Additionally, the number of farms in the state continues to decrease. As farmers mature and they are not able to continue farming the land, the art of family farming seems to diminish. More families are electing to sell their land for economic development projects. Other factors impacting agriculture in the state are climate change and extreme weather conditions. For example, in 2013 the weather conditions were great for the fruit trees and vines in the Eastern Panhandle orchards.

During 2014, a cold harsh winter and extra spring rains ruined the fruit hanging on the trees and vines.

But the weather conditions were near perfect in 2015 and the Eastern Panhandle had fruit trees and vines bud early in the season yielding enormous bushels of fruit. In the future, weather conditions will continue to be a major factor influencing agriculture in this state.