California's Jobless Turning Down Plentiful Farm Work

One writer asks, 'Where's the market's invisible hand when you need it?'

Is it another sign of rural America's alleged irrelevancy?

Pacific Standard's Vince Beiser observes that California's unemployed are neglecting the abundant jobs in the state's agricultural sector. This while the Golden State's jobless ranking is among the worst in the nation. While farmers complain that they can't find the help they need according to industry analysts, Beiser informs, the unemployed remain either unaware or uninterested in the work available in California's fruitful central valley.

"Where is the invisible hand of the market when you need it?" inquires Beiser, who likewise asks why farm wages are apparently stagnant despite increased demand for labor.

While the demand side of the equation may be a mystery to Beiser, the supply side isn't. Unemployment benefits represent an obvious disincentive to journey elsewhere for wine grape-picking work - even as such benefits may be beneficial for one's employment prospects in the long run.

"People who receive unemployment benefits search harder and smarter for jobs than people who aren't covered," say economists Rick McGahey and Teresa Ghilarducci. "They tend to find long-term positions that suit them."

Needless to say, low-skilled farm jobs aren't exactly the idea of an attractive long-term gig to most.

Via Pacific Standard and the Washington Post.

Should the unemployed be flocking to farm work?

[TheJimmy]

That whole "gimme a job but don't expect me to work" mentality must be more rampant in Cali than in the rest of the country.

[stepped_in_it]

"more rampant in Cali than in the rest of the country." >> Not from what I see. I say drop the "Cali" part and you have the jobless mentality period. Now, just how can I say that? In "my neck of the woods", my factory closed 6/2012. I keep in touch with many of my former associates. At least 75% are still unemployed, getting ready or signing up for the Guv-mint extension and treating it like a vacation. They have not "looked" for work and would rather collect unemployment than work for the extra $100 (or so) they would get working. I, on the other hand, took 2 months off (a long "honey do" list), then found a job and went to work.

[UnCommonBoston]

@stepped_in_it When I lost my job, I was told I had to apply for at least two jobs a week to collect my unemployment check. Seemed reasonable

[stepped_in_it]

@UnCommonBoston Yeah, I heard that from them. From what I heard (from "them), unemployment office doesn't have time/man power to check up on those applications.....so they "stretch the truth" on their applying for jobs....that's their words....not mine

[UnCommonBoston]

@stepped_in_it Sad, unemployment is not a handout, but short term help to tide you over until you get a job. Very sad.

[Sonny]

No such "mentality" exists...But there is a legitimate mentality that says..." I am glad to work, all you have to do is pay me a decent wage..."

[Zazziness]

I think anyone concerned about this should watch Stephen Colbert's "investigation" on the subject.

[PoliticalSpice]

That was great, made the point I'd been saying for years, show some gratitude to "illegal" immigrants they do the work lazy americans don't want, and keep the prices of food from doubling if not tripeling.

[Zazziness]

@PoliticalSpice It is not "lazy" that keeps Americans from taking those jobs. They are unsafe, outrageous hours, and do not pay enough to provide food and shelter. The workers are often housed in plywood shanties that have a hose for running water. No sanitary facilities. Is that against regulations? You bet. Is that the way it is in many places? Yes, it is.

[nomocrap]

@Zazziness Have you been watching roots? You couldn't have gotten that from any real source today. Farm labor is not housed on the farm like slaves from the early 1800's. People who work on farms now work just like the rest of us. They leave their home, drive to work, work their day then drive home. Is it hard work? Yes, I have worked on a farm my entire life and while it is hard work it is also satisfying and enjoyable. Is it harder than any other outdoor physical job? No! As far as dangerous and outrageous hours, it is no more dangerous than any other physical labor. The hours may be long some days but every factory job in the country has the potential for overtime hours so there is no difference. Farm work where i live pays above minimum wage but not as much as skilled jobs just like any other unskilled labor in the US. The mentality that farm labor is beneath the american people is ridiculous. If you want to work you will take an honest job. If the job doesn't pay enough public assistance is available. I have no problem with public assistance for people who try but just can't make enough to survive, but people who won't take an honest job because it is hard work or they are to good to do that don't deserve assistance of any kind.

[Zazziness]

@nomocrap I wish you were right but I am reporting my husband's first-hand observations and they are true. It's probably soothing to think conditions like that don't exist but the only way to believe that is stay far away from looking at the reality of the situation.

[Zazziness]

@nomocrap http://www.ncfh.org/docs/fs-Facts%20about%20F... You will find this to be a sad but informative read, I think.

[bsking]

no, thats hard work. why should the poor victims of george bush's economy,especially the last four years , have to forsake their government given right of unlimited compensation and free food , and actually do labor related work? that kind of work is for criminals . it is very insensitive to even suggest it, imagine how they would "feel" if someone from their community happened to see them working like this? they would be embarrassed , humiliated and ostracized. they probably wouldn't even be invited to any more food stamp parties ...

work is for suckers

[stepped_in_it]

Besides, cell phone coverage probably sucks way out there in the fields!

[bsking]

@stepped_in_it I didn't even think of that.. good point I mean who would be expected to work at any establishment that would limit your texting ability? talk about slave labor camps...

[UnCommonBoston]

Work is for people who want a better future. When the promise of advancement is taken away, much of the motivation is gone as well. I have taken many terrible jobs to make ends meet, but I know it would get me where I wanted. I could see a future. Thoughts?

[Sonny]

Well, according to this story those jobs pay very low wages. So let's test your theory...Offer a better livable wage, and then let's see if those vacancies get filled....

[stepped_in_it]

@UnCommonBoston "When the promise of advancement is taken away, much of the motivation is gone as well." I think you answered your statement already. Some look at it as "beneath" them, others look at it as a fresh start.

[siswas]

the government hand outs are more attractive, about 6 to8 hundred a month plus a full medical card. who in the hell would want to give that up for a minimal wage job . put a stop to all of the government freebie, that would change all of these loafers mind

[Sonny]

No, that's not true at all... The amount that is paid in unemployment insurance, depends on what the salary of the individual made before he/she was outsourced, laid-off, fired or what ever you want to call it. And there is NO "full medical card" that goes along with unemployment insurance..That is nonsense...Unemployment insurance is considered "taxable income" and is not a "freebie" Also, the only people who can collect unemployment insurance are those who were previously gainfully employed in the first place. Which means that they PAID INTO THAT PROGRAM. So they are Not getting anything "free".....They have already paid for it. And frankly the cost of living in California is among the nations highest..And no amount of unemployment insurance would be considered "attractive" to anyone who has to live there...Once again...let's simply test that old tired republican theory of the "free market correcting its self"...All you have to do is raise the wages of those vacant jobs and I am sure that they would all be filled in no time...So stop blaming people who want to work for a reasonable wage. I'm sure that everyone here would want a decent wage as well.

[siswas]

@Sonny I was referring to the people on welfare

[Sonny]

@siswas Then just repeat what I have written,and apply that to the "people on welfare" as well....

[Sonny]

@siswas But if you and others are so upset, by all of this---then why not complain to the so-called "job creators" who are sitting on more than 2 Trillion Dollars---and NOT hiring people---just begging for more tax hand-outs...Why not tell those people to start creating some damn jobs---and putting people back to work?!?

[UnCommonBoston]

I don't know much about this issue and less about life in California. However, I have heard over and over that we need new immigrants to take jobs Americans won't do and that they don't take jobs from Americans. All I know is what I have seen. I watched as black workers were replaced with Spanish speaking workers in DC. Talked to homeless who faced jail if they could not work, men who sincerely wanted to work but could not because most of the jobs were taken by Spanish speakers who would or could speak English. I waited in line for rude Spanish speaking workers to finish their conversation, when they turned to help me, they couldn't understand what I said. Then I wondered why any business would choose these workers and how long it would take the business to fail. My ex replaced his construction labours with "recent immigrants" and found the quality of work fell and it was not the money saving measure they hoped. The union workers were better trained and more cost effective. Leaders in the immigration movement have told me there will never be enough money to take care of the existing poor and our new poor. This sickens me, American citizens come first. We help our own. I don't know anything about these people who are not working. However, our system is failing if people are refusing work. If this is true, what a disaster. Real Americans should hire Legal Americans and those who have been here for generations deserve first dibs at our welfare, job training and education resources

[Sonny]

There are NO "jobs that Americans won't do"...There are wages that are so low, that no one wants them---But all you have to do is offer a better pay, and that would solve the problem...Why can't republicans understand that simple concept?

[UnCommonBoston]

@Sonny Costco is the perfect example. Their pay and benefits are by far the best in retail, as is the company's profit. People hustle because they want to keep their jobs and advance. The promise of a better future is there, insight. I doubt, but don't know, if Walmart employees put as much into their jobs. The pay is crap, benefits absurd -- they help new hires fill out paperwork for food stamps and other programs they quality for. Advancement is somewhat possible, maybe. Many of us would start in the mailroom if it gave us a good chance of advancement.

[nomocrap]

@Sonny A lesson in farm economics. The wages paid farm labor are dependent on the profit margin for the farmer. In any other production business the business produces its products and sets the price for their products based on cost of materials, employee wages, business expenses and the amount of profit needed to keep the business afloat. Farmers buy seed, fertilizer, animal feed, equipment, fuel for their equipment, and any supplies needed to run the farm from companies that operate on this principal meaning they are paying high prices in todays economy. They then spend the entire year tending their crops and herds so that they can take them to market. There they are paid the market price that is set by what the buyer is willing to pay not what the farmer needs to stay in business. They have no say in the amount of profit the fruit of their labor will bring. If the price of beef drops drastically as it does so often the farmer will end up in the red and has no recourse but to take what is offered so that he will have operating funds for the next crop. Many farmers go bankrupt because of this system. A farmer must set wages for his employees so that he has an opportunity to continue his business. If he ups his wages without considering the expected profit margin he is heading for financial suicide. Another thing you may not know is that when the market price for farm products drop and farmers struggle to make ends meet many times they are unable to maintain enough cash flow to pay their workers. I have known farmers to sell personal items, family heirlooms and anything else they can come up with so that they can pay their workers even during the off season when there is not enough work on the farm to keep them. They do this because they do care about the people working for them and will not lay them off if there is anyway humanly possible to keep paying them.

[UnCommonBoston]

@nomocrap SO TRUE!!!! Corp America doesn't help. Want to sell your chickens to Purdue? You need to follow their regime perfectly. Let them see the light of day -- sorry. Seed prices are insane. Monsanto is the problem there. Profit is not a given, at best a maybe. Many of us grew up sharing a steak with the family. We never dreamed of having one to ourselves. The Quarter Pounder was HUGE. We ate produce in season and it wasn't cheap. Now food prices have dropped not risen. We expect/demand cheap food. Quality is not a big deal for many Americans. Those of us who can afford organic produce and what I call happy meat and eggs (organic, free range), support the small farms. Sometimes, the organic looks like the regular, or it looks worse. We pay for more than taste and nutrition. I want a world with less Walmarts and more local food. I eat less meat, more PB&J's and salads.

[FollowTheMoney]

@Sonny it's not a partisan political issue. It's societal pop-culture problem.

[Clarke12]

the notion that people are happy or comfortable collecting unemployed is the issue, not the fact that the government provides it. unemployment insurance is supposed to be there for short periods; instead it has been turned into a generational family business.

[Thunderchicken]

This isn't anything new. Farmers have had this problem as long as I can remember. And with the nature of picking being an itinerant and seasonal job, (not to mention hard work), I can see why many wouldn't want to do it. Unfortunately to make picking attractive, either food prices will have to rise or alternative incomes streams need to be less attractive. Neither is a good solution. And while many have tried, there's no such thing as a mechanical tomato (sweet corn, chile pepper, etc) picker that doesn't damage the produce.

[Belin]

If you are unemployed, then you should take advantage of the work that is available for you to help support yourself and your family. You can discuss/ bargain with the farmer to get higher wages. I know this because my family has been involved in the agriculture industry going back generations. Now we lease the farmland to a farmer. One of your benefits to doing this work is that it restarts your unemployment benefits when or if you need it again. Many here in this country think this work is beneath them. Work is work. That is why there are so many Hispanic migrant farm workers. Then people complain about them being here. Do you want to eat or drink wine? Thank these Hispanic migrant farm workers. When they are done in one place, they travel to another place here where the crops are ready.

[stepped_in_it]

As for "restarts your unemployment benefits"....in a galaxy not too far away or too long ago, unemployment was for 26 weeks only before you had to "be off" it for 26 weeks before you could reapply. Now, it's been extended (by our guv-mint) to 99 weeks....hmmm, 1 long month shy of a 2 year vacation... You (?) and I plan for the future, why some (or most) plan for today! I (recently laid off from a closing plant) went looking and found a job. Some (or most) are still on vacation!

[justapirate]

Negotiate a wage with a farmer? Yeah, right. That's the first thing that'll get you shown to the door.

[Belin]

@stepped_in_it
My husband was in your shoes. He did not sit at home living off those checks. He immediately got another job! Also, good for you!!!

[Belin]

@justapirate
Actually, no! You are not going to get rich, but these farmers need hands to do the work! They will negotiate a higher wage.

[justapirate]

@Belin Yes, farmers will need to pay more but right now they aren't willing to accept that idea. They still have someone else to cover the 'benefits'

Oh, and never considered 'getting rich' on a farm job. Just wanted a job.

[justapirate]

Another one that I can't vote on- insufficient choices.
I have, during lean times in my life, TRIED to get farm work. The only time I was successful is when I hired on as a manager. There was always a reason, from the farmer, why I couldn't get work as a field hand. Those reasons always boiled down to one thing- you can't screw a citizen over like you can an illegal. Take your choice- "you'll want too much"- "no, you won't work like a mexican"- "I don't want to be responsible for you"- "Nah, you don't have any experience'". Always something that was an excuse not to hire an American. One was purely truthful- "Look, the state is going to give them enough 'benefits' that I can afford them and not you."

There is a mindset out there that is problematic. Folks keep saying that an American won't do the jobs because it's 'too hard'. The real issue is that someone else is not picking up the 'benefits'- the true cost- of giving an American a job.

Yeah, there's no shortage of folks that wouldn't even consider working in a field. There's also no shortage of folks who will. It's just more economical to shift the cost elsewhere and that is the real issue.

Americans travel for work all the time and a lot of the jobs they do are 'hard', uncomfortable, away from family, all the same reasons why many claim we won't do it. We do actually do it. The difference is who pays the bill. Until someone admits that the argument will go on.

[lawnmowrman]

been there done that, reason given, couldn't hire me as I wasn't a migrant

[Sonny]

"...farm wages are apparently stagnant despite increased demand for labor.." This is an easy fix...If you want to fill a vacant job---and the wages are so low that no one will touch it....Then raise the damn wage---and you will probably get far more applicants then you ever could imagine....This is the so-called "free market" that the right is always whining about...Well here is a great opportunity to (literally) put their money where their mouths are. But I suspect---that this will just be yet another excuse for those businesses to simply hire "illegals under the table"...

[ACTSmom]

Since Cali offers up to $450/wk. unemployment checks, it's no wonder farm work is not appealing. Then when unemployment runs out, they will just find a way to survive without doing hard labor.

[S-N-A-F-U]

Who can blame them for not getting their hands dirty? Even Mexican farm workers are declining this type of employment for a better offer for doing nothing under current Calif. welfare laws. Calif. is a precursor of what's going to happen to the rest of this country under this president. Californicate is on the verge of bankruptcy because of public sector unions and the giant entitlement Sow, where anyone can grab a tit or two.....Golly gee, what could go wrong,?

But eventually....

"Because of winter the lazy one will not plow, he will be begging in reaping time, but there will be nothing." Pr. 20:4

[justapirate]

I'm noticing that those who have never come close to working out in the 'dirty' are the ones who do their best to bad mouth Americans as lazy and believe the problem is those 'lazy' Americans. And I notice that the folks that have been involved in the 'dirty' are going "WTF?" to all this demonizing.

Interesting, eh?

[justapirate]

I guess I should point out something from actual experience. When I managed that farm I hired only local American citizens. I had no problem meeting manpower needs. Had more folks ask for a job than I had jobs available. When planting and harvest and a few other projects happened I had NO problem hiring enough 'lazy' Americans to do the job. Domestic manpower was never a problem and I never had to hire 'migrants'.

That is 'experience' with reality.

[wild_turkey6]

I've done a lot of underpaid, back breaking jobs to provide for my family. If you are able to work, and jobs are available, but decide not to, then go hungry.

[FFX_VA]

"People who receive unemployment benefits search harder and smarter for jobs" Maybe after 99 weeks of hard smart searching they need a little more incentive...

[classychazy]

When my husband last his job in 2007 he had a temp job, before we even got his first unemployment check. It only paid less then half, but he still could not fathom not having some sort of employment. He would do any kind of labor it took to keep us afloat.

[idiot]

age and physical limitations has a lot to do with this kind of work.
if you dont agree, that means you have no clue of what you are talking about.

[justapirate]

On that I have to agree. I'm at an age and a physical condition where any type of strenuous work just ain't gonna happen. I'm used up and that's just the way it is.

[idiot]

@justapirate me too, that kind of work is good for someone in their twenty's and healthy.
collage kids would be all over this work but the harvest and fall school schedule dont coincide.

[Sabio]

i say you put every free loader on welfare out there in the fields working in return for that check!

[Flutterby610]

I agree!!

[ASmith]

There are people who see farm work as being "beneath them", but there are also realistic people who don't see the point once they look at the numbers. Unfortunately, those who criticize the unemployed are the truly lazy ones, refusing to look at or consider the costs of going to the country to work.
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Where are the people going to live during their time working on a farm? Rent a house? What about their homes in the city where their possessions are? Abandon them? Spend money to take them? At that rate, working on a farm will cost them money, not earn any.
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If farms and governments organized temporary free housing - or better yet, simple cabins that can be reused annually by workers - people could keep their city homes. And if free bus transportation to the farms came with it, they might start getting applicants. It costs money to travel, and some people can't even afford the cost of leaving the city.