Jobs teach youth ABOUT AG: Employing youth in orchards and packing houses can benefit both students and the industry

摘要

Orchardist John Verbrugge of Wapato, Washington, hired between 15 and 20 students to work during cherry harvest last season and this year hopes to hire more. The teens may not be as productive as his more experienced traditional work force, but Verbrugge believes it's important to give young people opportunities to work in agriculture and learn about the industry. Young people are the future of the industry—whether they are growers' own children or not, he said. "I would like to encourage the rest of the industry to step up and pay attention to our younger kids because they're all potential farmers. It's really good for them to get into it and learn that there are all sorts of things they can do—it's not just sitting on a tractor spraying. I would like to see more of our industry get involved."