I would like to know what your background is that qualifies you to write such an article and how much you really researched it?

I cannot understand why and who in their right mind would allow this article to be published in a farm paper that is supported by growers. Growers that struggle every year, year in and year out to provide safe food for the American public.

We were one of the farms charged this past year with fines. We have some of the nicest housing in the county; you can ask the state inspector.

We were charged with “inadequate housing.” When I asked for clarification, I received several different reasons.

One was that there was no hot water in the unit. When we went to check and do repair, we found that there was hot water. The employee that was in the house said that she told them there was hot water. The same employee had moved her washing machine outside even though there was a proper place for it inside. Excuse me but this does not equate to inadequate housing.

We were also cited for not having a MAPA poster up, even though it was posted on a Farm Bureau-provided poster.

Another citation was for allowing our workers to ride in the back of a farm truck. When we finish a field, they would ride back to the other end where their cars were parked.

Oh I must not forget the “disclosure statement” fine. We stated an hour and piece rate on the form, but then we give the employees (the ones we take advantage of) a choice if they would like to work by hour or piece rate. Our total donation to the DOL was $750.