Area farmers are still counting on H2A migrant workers for labor this growing season, but precautions will be taken to keep them and the community at-large healthy.
There was fear among some farmers that those migrant workers would not be able to come to the country this year with immigration and travel bans during the pandemic, but Congressman James Comer says he’s been assured by the White House an exception has been made for the H2A program.
Comer says he’s heard from Christian County farmers who have been successful in bringing in the migrant workers.
Todd County Public Health Director Jen Harris says the health department there is working with farmers to quarantine the migrant workers from the general public for two weeks after they arrive—though they are still able to work together in the fields.
Harris agrees with Congressman Comer that the H2A program is a necessity for farmers to have a sufficient workforce.