DTN articles examine immigration and its important to the ag labor force

This week we published a series of four DTN articles related to immigrants and the ag industry. Certainly immigration, whether legal or not, has changed the face of who actually will do the day-to-day hard work in rural areas of the country. The series, written by Chris Clayton, gives an overview from the farmer's perspective as well as the issues faced by the unskilled immigrant who wants to work.

The series opener, features the northeast region of Alabama known as Sand Mountain where Hispanics fill the jobs provided by the poultry industry. Mexican restaurants and Guatemalan bakeries have popped up in these communities where racial tensions are just below the surface.

Part 2 explores the difficult process of getting legal for unskilled farm labor even when the jobs are available.

The next article looks at a study of the Wisconsin dairy industry and it's reliance on Hispanic employees. One dairy owner credits a strong work ethic and a willingness to work long hours forces his dependence on the immigrant labor force.

The final article examines politics and policy, and how that fits with immigrant workers and the future of the ag industry labor force.