Thread: Farmers in U.S. Shift to Mexico

September 5, 2007
1. Short on Labor, Farmers in U.S. Shift to Mexico
By JULIA PRESTON
CELAYA, Mexico — Steve Scaroni, a farmer from California, looked across a luxuriant field of lettuce here in central Mexico and liked what he saw: full-strength crews of Mexican farm workers with no immigration problems.
Farming since he was a teenager, Mr. Scaroni, 50, built a $50 million business growing lettuce and broccoli in the fields of California, relying on the hands of immigrant workers, most of them Mexican and many probably in the United States illegally.
But early last year he began shifting part of his operation to rented fields here. Now some 500 Mexicans tend his crops in Mexico, where they run no risk of deportation.
“I’m as American red-blood as it gets,â€

although he says Mexican workers are less productive in their own country.

And just why might that be??? Because nobody is holding deportation over their head?? If they have such a great work ethic, why the difference?? Or maybe they just don't see any future.

As noted in the article about having to teach them sanitation practices, it should be obvious where the contamination comes from in the recalls.

I will cut lettuce out of my diet all together. I know how things are grown in Mexico.

I believe we should all boycott products from Valley Harvesting & Packing, Inc and Veg Packer, Inc . Why should we buy from a farmer who is so un-American ?

All across the country local produce stores are springing up with local produce for sale.I love it and will try to buy most things locally and will check produce in the stores.If it says from Mexico I won't buy it.

BTW Let them go,I think Americans are tired of subsidizing these hugh Agri Businesses on a program meant to help small farmers ! It is outrageous these rich businesses get hugh subsidies !!! Besides taxpayers subsidizing their workforce too.

AG Businesses need to be brought down a notch or two cause they are out of control and think they can do as they please !

Have to agree, forget about these large farms, much better to buy locally and know where your food is coming from. Seasonal produce is the freshest and it won't hurt to go without food that is not in season.

Besides we will be supporting neighbors and our own communities with farms, instead of those big ag corps.

I really want to see labels that tell us all about our food, where its from, wether its been treated with anything.

I do not think that it is that big a deal. We already import a lot of farm produce from Latin America.


UPSIDE We can get financing easier here and if the lettuce industry mechanizes some of the production will flow back here.