A single grower in Chester County grows 35 million pounds of mushrooms a year, contributing to the over billion dollar mushroom business here, according to the June 2017 issue of Saveur. In fact, nearly half of the mushrooms sold in the USA comes from Chester County farms. This important economic driver is now at risk because of (you guessed it) government intervention.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in June that growers are coming under increasing stress in locating and retaining workers for the mushroom industry. Under President Reagan, thousands of mushroom pickers were awarded legal status – back when immigrants were welcome to help us grow and maintain our economy.
These workers are nearing retirement age, and they are not being replaced. Instead, renewed enthusiasm for challenging foreign workers is threatening farmers with thousands of dollars in fines. Workers and farmers are rightfully frightened by the government pressure, threatening one of our largest local industries.
Are we protecting US jobs by this draconian policy? No. A mushroom picker can earn up to $1,000 a week. But with unemployment low, and Chester County the wealthiest county in the state, local workers are nearly impossible to find. Although well-paying, these difficult farm jobs are unattractive to residents.
Hard working, tax paying, law abiding migrant workers are by far the norm. By denying employment to the only people who will work these jobs we are hurting them, the farmers, and their families. Production will fall, costs will rise, all because the government is once again trying to solve an imaginary problem.
America is a country of immigrants, and Chester County represents a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. We are lucky enough to have one of the best local economies in the nation. But without the freedom to come and work here, our economy will not continue to grow.