Apples pose a labor challenge for many growers, but one diversified Canadian farm sees the labor-intensive orchard crop as an advantage, giving their workers more hours. Located in Canning, Nova Scotia, Vermeulen Farms grows a wide variety of produce and commodity crops on 450 acres, including asparagus, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, cut flowers and strawberries. They plan to add apples to stretch the season even more, said Ben Vermeulen, who co-owns the farm with his father, Andy.
In July, the International Fruit Tree Association visited Vermeulen Farms, where Ben and Andy discussed some of their experiences with Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, SAWP. The Vermeulens are so reliant on offshore workers hired through the program that they’ve oriented their entire crop mix and acreage around getting those workers enough hours and a lengthy contract — all to entice them to return year after year.
“If they can make a decent living here, it gives them a reason to come back,” Ben said. “We’ve had guys coming back for 20 years. They get off the plane and know exactly what to do.” Offshore workers can stay in Canada for up to eight months per year. The Vermeulens want their workers to earn a year’s wages within that period. The goal is to get them close to 2,000 hours for the season, Andy said.
“We set the program up to fit the labor,” he said. “If they’re coming here for eight weeks just to pick apples, they’re not getting enough hours.”
Read more at goodfruit.com