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Mutual Memo to Membership Regarding H-2A

Dear FCM Members:

Tomorrow afternoon in Wauchula, the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will review a request by Joe Davis Jr. to build dorm-style farm worker housing in one of his groves so he can participate in the H-2A program. Mr. Davis’ request was denied in February by the county Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) by a close vote. As part of the proceedings, Mutual testified in front of the PZB and we plan to do the same in front of the BOCC.

I wanted to clarify Mutual’s role at the meetings because there is some confusion among our membership. Mutual is not there to support any individual project; we have a large, diverse membership and it is not a feasible position for us to take. But we do believe it is important for us, as the state’s largest citrus trade organization, to show up at these meetings and let county officials know they must address the farm worker housing issue as more growers explore the H-2A program.

At Mr. Davis’ hearing, we sought to educate the PZB. We told members that in general “H-2A is a grower controlled program whereby growers set specific rules based on federal regulations. This is not a housing free for all where private landlords rent the housing and no control measures are in place. I can assure you growers want to maintain a peaceful environment and have the power to do so under the regulations.”

On Thursday, we will tell the Hardee County BOCC the same thing, just as we did when another Mutual grower had a similar proposal in front of the Polk County BOCC. In addition, we will be distributing a resolution Mutual’s Board of Directors passed earlier this year regarding H-2A housing. You can find the resolution on our website at http://www.flcitrusmutual.com/industry-issues/laborandproduction/h2a_main.aspx

Across the state, local decisionmakers are going to have to make a commitment to accommodate farm worker housing. Agriculture is too important to Florida’s economy to ignore the issue and H-2A housing is one of the few options citrus growers currently have to obtain legal workers. Mutual will be monitoring the situation and acting as a resource to planning boards and county commissions as the matter progresses. On the proactive side, we are currently taking part in a Polk County task force put together to address H-2A housing. We are also working hard in Washington, D.C. to get comprehensive immigration reform passed by Congress that improves the guest worker program. This issue is a priority.

As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Regards,

Mike