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Retiring Westmoreland agricultural agent worries about impact of immigration debate Date published: 4/4/2008
BY FRANK DELANO Thirty years ago, when Samuel M. Johnson was a young, new agent of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service in Westmoreland County, only one farmer hired migrant workers to pick cantaloupes at his Leedstown farm. Now on the verge of retirement, Johnson, 55, feels that the political storm surrounding illegal immigration may jeopardize the supply of migrant workers, on whom many farmers depend to grow and harvest vegetables, grapes and ornamental plants. "Most of the local labor gradually left and didn't come back. Now it costs $5,000 to $6,000 to plant an acre of strawberries. You're at tremendous risk if you don't have anybody to pick them," Johnson said. In 1998, Johnson helped start the Rappahannock Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Council. The council's members represent agricultural, medical, educational, employment, housing and church groups in contact with migrant workers in 14 counties. The council, Johnson said, "doesn't have any money and doesn't do a whole lot, but it's a place to get things started." Over the years, the council has helped start clinics, classes and other programs for Hispanic workers. Johnson estimates about 300 Latinos work on Westmoreland County farms, plus about 2,700 others on farms in other Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula counties. "There are no good numbers," he said. "Farm workers are only a small part of the total number of Hispanic workers who work in seafood, forestry, manufacturing, construction and other jobs. A lot of them don't want to be counted." Or even seen. A Cinco de Mayo festival in Colonial Beach was canceled last year because of fears that illegal immigrants would be identified, arrested and deported. Recently, Johnson said, the migrant council invited some Hispanic farm workers to a meeting. None showed up.
Read more stories about Westmoreland Date published: 4/4/2008
I worked with Sam on a few councils and found him to be a true gentleman and always willing to lend a hand. He has been a great asset and will be missed. Good luck Sam!
While in HS I worked for several years picking tomatos so don't think for a moment I've been fed with a silver spoon. I also refuse to believe that the illegal immagrants are the only ones who can do the job. The Rappahannock Regional Jail has a huge labor force and they are extremely cheap.....use them.
After all these illegal immigrants are identified, arrested and deported, make sure you wear sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids while you toil in the fields. And be prepared to make some sacrifices as you downgrade your lifestyle. The pay for this type of work is not very much.
Maybe ICE should be the official sponsor of Cinco de Mayo.
"illegal immigrants would be identified, arrested and deported."
We have a country. It aledgedly has borders and laws.
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