Most mornings, while the moon shines in the dark skies, field workers wake up and use the Port of San Luis for the lengthy commute from Mexico to Arizona.
Bianca Castillo started working in the fields in the United States when she was 23 years old and is now the manager of the fields. She guided me through her Scripps News. Arizona-Mexico border Many workers say they are starting a typical 12-hour day, six days a week.
A man named Javier said it was one of his lucky days as it took only 15 minutes to cross the border instead of the average of 3-4 hours.
Some companies rent out parking lots and provide buses for transportation to the fields. It’s where some workers try to get some sleep before a physically demanding day in the sun.
More Water Outages to Come in Arizona Threaten Agriculture
Farmers in Yuma County, Arizona, are witnessing water outages that could affect yields of leafy greens.
As the sun rises, workers in the Yuma Valley begin harvesting. The region is famous for its ataretas, which require skill to cut well.In addition, each lettuce head chooses means money for workersprompts you to move quickly.
This farming in the Yuma Valley continues all year round and the fertile soil allows farmers to grow two to three plants. harvest every year. His $4 billion industry in Yuma underpins Arizona’s economy and requires a large workforce that relies on what they call “lechugeros.”
“Agriculture is the lifeblood of Yuma,” said Bruce Gwynn, president of the Yuma County Historical Society. “Letugueros…it’s our labor that helps us harvest lettuce. We can’t survive without lettugueros. It’s always been that way.”
Across the United States, approximately 80% of farm workers identify as Hispanic, according to a recent study posted by the National Center for Farmworker Health.
Lee Farms owner Ryan Lee said:
They are families from Arizona to Mexico who want to pursue the American Dream and provide for their families. farmers Without these workers, it would be nearly impossible to harvest all the crops that feed so many Americans.
The new face of agriculture
More women are entering the farming industry, including Tara Vander Dussen, a fifth-generation dairy farmer from New Mexico.
