Campsite For Migrant Workers

By Robin Woodson

GRANGER -- "The camp is very nice, everything is clean and it's perfect for us," Migrant Worker, Lidia Ceballos, said.

Ceballos says she and her family come from California every summer to pick cherries at Reddout Orchards.

"Last year it was more difficult for us because we have to take shower with cold water," Ceballos explained

Lidia says her family of four spent the past 15 years camping at the orchard they worked on.

"You'd see these people sleeping alongside the river, parked alongside the road, things like that, that's not the quality of life you want for your employees," Reddout Orchard Owner, Helen Reddout, said.

Reddout and her son, David, came up with a tent camp made for migrant workers.

"We have a kitchen and we have bathrooms and everything is perfect for us," Ceballos said.

The site comes with kitchens, fully stocked with refrigerators and stoves, private bathrooms for men and women and tents with cots that can hold up to 7 people, so a family could stay together.

"These are employees and they need to have a good, safe, clean place to stay when they come here to work," Helen Reddout said.

Owners say they built their campsite to house over 90 migrant workers, but because of a cold spring, their property is practically vacant.

"On a full year, when we get a full crop, I think it's going to be to our benefit," Reddout Orchard Manager, David Reddout, said.

But their project is still a work in progress, owners say they may not see their hard work pay off until next season.

The Reddout's also say they plan on putting in more landscaping to the site.

They also want to put in a soccer field and basketball courts for people to have fun when they're done with work.