Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 7 · column 2 of 9 · from the scan, no model involved
can do. ”
Pifer adds that a closer scrutiny of illegal aliens this year may be a result of other immigration bills currently under consideration in Congress. He says his office is involved as a communications channel between the labor department and the growers associations, but that “recent court actions preclude” commenting specifically on the area’s migrant worker situation.
Illegals Here
According to extension agent Birgitt Thornhill, a number of arrests of illegal aliens wTere recently made in the Winchester area but she doesn’t know of any arrests in Rappahannock. (Neither does Commonwealth’s Attorney Douglas Baumgardner.)
Thornhill was asked what portion of the local orchard work force might be made up of migrant workers and said no one would have an easy time finding out. “They don’t want to tell you,” she said of local growers. “Some have illegal aliens.” Thornhill added that strict labor regulations require orchardists to establish residential camps and other conveniences for the workers. It is costly for the growers to comply.
A solution to the sticky labor problem is simply to have the consumers pick their own apples and sell strictly retail. Washington orchardist George Sharp says he’s getting pretty much the same price this year for pick-your-own (PYO) except that he stopped supplying containers “because they’re expensive.”
In fact. Sharp says his price this year at approximately $5.00-$5.50 per bushel is “slightly less” than a year ago but the customers pay extra if they buy the bags he offers.
Sharp says he has :iA - % of what would be a normal
92.6%