GREELEY (Colorado) TRIBUNE

December 11, 2007

Swift Raid Impact: Labor shortages likely will continue

By BILL JACKSON

Labor problems for northern Colorado farmers, particularly produce farmers, probably won't get better as they put away 2007 crops and start planning for 2008.

Farmers saw limited labor availability this spring as the number of migrant workers coming into the area dwindled, partially attributable to the raid on Swift & Co.'s Greeley beef packing plant by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last December.

The decrease in available labor caused some farmers to go to more mechanization or cut back on acreage, which also was forced on some by a lack of irrigation water.

But the failure by Congress to address the immigration problem with at least a guest worker program continues to frustrate farmers in the region such as Bob Sakata, president of Sakata Farms of Brighton, who has vegetable acreage in Adams and Weld counties.

"Nothing has changed. I'm really disappointed with a Congress that has failed to address the issue," Sakata said.

Randy Knutson, farm manager with Zabka Farms/Martin Produce of Greeley, agreed.

"I don't think that things are going to get better, but I can't say they will get worse, either," Knutson said. That potato and onion operation struggled to fill some jobs and filled others easily this spring, Knutson said, but was able to maintain a stable operation for the most part through the season.

The problem for agriculture, he said, is that workers with legal documentation migrated to higher paying jobs in construction, hospitality and the like, putting a greater burden on farmers.

Sakata, who has farmed in the area for 62 years, said the combination of the state closing down irrigation wells along the South Platte River and the labor problem doesn't bode well for the future.

"The face of this entire area is going to change a great deal in the next 10 years if these issues aren't faced by society," he said.