In an effort to better understand the labor needs required for the winter vegetable season, staff members of the Nogales and Tijuana Consulates traveled to Yuma yesterday and met with WG Board Member Sonny Rodriguez of The Growers Company in Somerton, Arizona, to discuss H-2A processes and to see the harvest in action.  

Andy Stark, vice consul of the Nogales Consulate, made it clear that the State Department’s goal is to promote the economy and facilitate the flow of H-2A workers for the industry.

Sarah Ruiz, vice consul of the Tijuana Consulate, noted that providing their consulate with more timely information about growers’ labor needs allows them to process visas more efficiently.‎ “Knowing that you will be needing appointments the last week of October through the first two weeks of November allows us to schedule other appointments around your needs,” she added.

WG thanks the State Department for taking the time to do outreach and better understand our challenges and assist our industry.

For more information, contact AnnaMarie Knorr at (602) 451-0658.