GAINESVILLE, FLA -- Florida Farm Bureau is concerned that the current public focus on immigration and immigration reform may lack accurate information about farming and farm worker pay.

"There appears to be a perception that agricultural producers are paying less than minimum wage to foreign workers," said Kevin Morgan, FFBF director of agricultural policy. "In fact, the average wage paid to farm workers by Florida growers is far higher than the state or federal minimum wage."

Florida farm workers are paid, on average, more than $9 an hour, according to farm labor statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture. These statistics show that, contrary to popular notions, farm workers are being paid a fair wage. Field harvesters are paid at least the state minimum wage of $6.40, which is above the federal minimum wage of $5.15. The average pay of all hired workers was $9.49 an hour, while the average pay for agricultural services workers was $9.20 an hour.

As the state's largest general-interest agricultural association, Florida Farm Bureau recognizes that a steady supply of workers is essential to the production process. This supply of workers must be available when crops are ready for harvest.

The Florida Farm Bureau continues to work with members of Congress to ensure that any immigration reform measure has a practical guest worker program.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation has about 140,000 member-families statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization. More information about Florida Farm Bureau is available on the organization's website, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.

Please visit the Florida Farm Bureau website for more information on immigration and Florida agriculture.

Chris Miller
Public Relations Coordinator
Florida Farm Bureau Federation
PO Box 147030
Gainesville, FL 32614-7030
(352)374-1535