The fertile valley feeds the world. President Trump has thrown farmers and farmworkers there into turmoil, but recently offered them a glimmer of hope.The New York Times reports that farmers in California’s Central Valley take pride in their role of feeding the world, and this is not an exaggeration. The valley, spanning 450 miles from Bakersfield to Redding, is responsible for producing 40 percent of the fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts grown in the United States, with half of that being exported overseas. With an annual business of $60 billion, California agriculture is a significant contributor to the economy.
However, this industry has been thrown into turmoil by President Trump’s policies. While he has recently offered some vague hope, his actions have caused panic among farmers and farmworkers. Last month, when agents from the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed up at farms and packing houses in Ventura County, which is located south of the Central Valley, there was a sense of fear and anger among the valley’s fields. This is because an estimated 80 percent of farmworkers in the region are undocumented, and the farmers, who had voted for Trump and expected him to protect them, felt betrayed.
One farmer, who goes by the name Vernon, expressed his frustration while standing among his acres of plum trees in Kingsburg. He said, “I would love to just call a general strike. Let’s just quit feeding America for one week!” Vernon, who employs undocumented workers, requested to use only his first name for fear of repercussions.
Although there have been no raids in the Central Valley this month, Manuel Cunha Jr., the president of the Nisei Farmers League, which represents 500 farmers and over 75,000 farmworkers in the region, remains on edge. In an interview at his Fresno office, he said, “If we get one Border Patrol raid, we’re screwed. Because no one is going to go to work in any field or packing house.” The uncertainty and fear surrounding immigration policies have put the entire industry at risk.
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