The U.S. apple industry is being active in labor reform- a touchy topic, and one that decides whether many farmers can continue to grow apples. The U.S. Apple Association is lobbying for legislation regarding undocumented agricultural labor-labor that is vital to orchards' survival. The association hopes for legislation that would "prevent onerous new regulation and enforcement mechanisms on apple employers," according to its website. "We wouldn't be in business without migrant workers," says Mark Nicholson, who serves as executive vice president of Red Jacket Orchards, in Geneva, N.Y., and holds a degree in pomology (the science and practice of growing fruit) from Cornell University. "We have 300 acres dedicated to apples. In the winter, experienced laborers help prune and train the trees. During harvest, our workforce doubles, from 30 to about 60 or 70 migrant workers, that help us bring in the crops."
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