Specialty crop success relies on labor

Without a stable, legal workforce to pick their fruit, the future of Sirles’ Rendleman Orchards in Alto Pass — and many other orchards — is in danger. “We need help to harvest our crops. It is a huge issue for specialty growers,” Sirles said at the recent Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference in Springfield. Rendleman Orchards has been in business for almost a 150 years, but it may have to reduce the size of its operation to keep going if family members can’t find workers. “Our biggest limitation is labor. It’s expensive and restrictive,” Sirles explained. The orchard grows apples, peaches, cucumbers, pumpkins, nectarines and other fruits and vegetables. The issue has grown over time with stricter regulations and the evolution of the immigrant workforce. The children of many immigrants who worked for the family previously are getting college educations and choosing different careers. The move reflects the same trend in many long-term farm families.