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field day

Oregon Grower on Front Lines of Immigration Reform

Doug Krahmer of Berries Northwest opened his Albany, Oregon farm to a film crew from the American Farm Bureau this past summer in an effort to get out the message about the importance of comprehensive immigration reform.

“Their emphasis was trying to get documentation that the blueberry industry in the Northwest would benefit from immigration reform legislation that would give us a legal, reliable labor supply,” Krahmer said.

The American Farm Bureau interspersed the segment from Berries Northwest with segments from other parts of the country in compiling the video. It uses the video for lobbying Congress and to distribute to news media outlets.

Krahmer said he opened up his farm under the belief that it was important to communicate to lawmakers and the general public about the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

“The biggest thing to me is the message needs to get out to the public that we’re not here to exploit our workers,” Krahmer said. “We need work done. We are willing and able to treat our workers fairly and pay them fairly.”

Krahmer said he hires about 280 workers during his peak season and hires an average of about 200 through the course of harvest. Berries Northwest pickers make $10 to $25 an hour during the summer, depending on which varieties are being picked, Krahmer said.

Pickers averaged $14 to $15 an hour picking the Duke variety, he said; $20 to $25 an hour picking Draper; and $10 to $12 an hour picking the later season Liberty variety.

Krahmer is one of several farmers on the video, but the only Northwest farmer.


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