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4 CapitalPress.com November 17, 2017 Sean Ellis/Capital Press Apples are sorted Sept. 6 at the Symms Fruit Ranch processing facility in Caldwell, Idaho, Number of Idaho producers seeking H-2A workers could rise signifi cantly By SEAN ELLIS Capital Press CALDWELL, Idaho — As the available labor pool in Southern Idaho continues to shrink, a lot more farmers are turning to the H-2A guest worker program to fi ll their employment needs. The number of agricultural producers in Idaho who use H-2A workers could increase signifi cantly in coming years, said Jennifer Uranga, who owns and manages Mountain West Ag Consulting, which specializes in H-2A issues. Total applications from Idaho agricultural businesses seeking H-2A workers in- creased 32 percent from fi scal year 2015 to 2017, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. Most of those appli- cations were from Southern Idaho producers. “I think that number is going to continue to grow,” Uranga said. “I think there is going to be an explosion.” The only thing stopping that explosion for the moment is a lack of housing in the re- gion, Uranga and farm busi- ness managers that use H-2A labor told Capital Press. Busi- nesses that bring in foreign workers under the H-2A pro- gram are required to provide them housing. “If we could get the housing, it would skyrock- et,” Uranga said. “There are (farms) that would love to bring in (a lot more) workers but there is just not the hous- ing right now.” Idaho ranked No. 3 in the nation with 497 total H-2A ap- plications in fi scal year 2016, behind Kentucky (1.125) and Louisiana (799), according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The tight farm labor situ- ation in southern Idaho was a major focus during the Idaho State Horticultural Society’s annual meeting in Nampa last week. “The No. 1 issue for grow- ers by far is labor,” said Uni- versity of Idaho fruit research- er and conference organizer Essie Fallahi. “Every year it seems this problem is getting worse.” The tight labor pool in Southern Idaho is the result of a couple factors, said Chad Henggeler, fi eld manager for Henggeler Packing Co., one of the state’s largest fruit or- chards. The state’s unemployment rate was a historically low 2.8 percent in September and a lot of labor-intensive farm com- modities such as wine grapes, fruit, hops and seed crops are produced in the region. “The labor pool in the last fi ve years has really dried up,” said Henggeler, who brought in 100 H-2A workers this year. “Our only choice is to bring in workers from a foreign coun- try on a worker guest visa.” The pool of available work- ers has declined at least 10 per- cent each of the past four years, said Jamie Mertz, co-owner of Symms Fruit Ranch. Like Henggeler, Symms turned to the H-2A program two years ago and had about 70 guest workers this year. “If we didn’t have them, it would be devastating, quite honestly,” Mertz said. During the horticultural society meeting, farms were encouraged to explore shar- ing H-2A contracts to reduce costs. “I think one of the focuses of the future is that we try to work with other commodities and other growers to try to share workers so we can af- ford to bring them in,” Heng- geler said. Dan Wheat/Capital Press File H-2A-visa foreign guestworkers thin Gala apples at Zirkle Fruit Co.’s CRO Orchard near Rock Island, Wash., in July 2016. The num- ber of H-2A workers nationally continues to increase by about 20 percent a year. H-2A use up 20 percent nationally More farms relying on guestworkers By DAN WHEAT Capital Press The number of H-2A-vi- sa foreign guestworkers ap- proved for U.S. farms contin- ues to grow by 20 percent a year, and eventually the need will accelerate and the sys- tem will crash, a leading farm spokesman predicts. The U.S. Department of Labor approved 200,049 H-2A-visa foreign guestwork- ers for U.S. farms in fi scal year 2017, up 20.7 percent from 165,741 in 2016. “It’s the kind of growth we expected. It would have been more. If there hadn’t been a late frost and hail in South Carolina and Georgia, it would have been closer to 205,000 or 210,000,” said Frank Gasper- ini Jr., executive vice presi- dent of the National Council for Agricultural Employers in Washington, D.C. Labor shortage “We have a continuing la- bor shortage and at some point it will reach a steeper incline because workers are getting older and H-2A is the only re- placement,” Gasperini said. “We are not raising up new domestic workers in agricul- ture, construction, hospitals or hotels. We will have fewer people doing that type of work and with our borders tighter than ever, foreign guestwork- ers are the only relief valve,” he said. Top 10 H-2A employers nationwide, 2017 Rank Employer 1. North Carolina Growers Association, Inc. 2. WAFLA (formerly WA Farm Labor Association) 3. Fresh Harvest, Inc. (Heber, Calif.) 4. Zirkle Fruit Company (Selah, Wash) 5. Elkhorn Packing Co. LLC (Salinas, Calif.) 6. Stemilt Ag Services LLC (Wenatchee, Wash.) 7. R&R Harvesting, Inc. (LaBelle, Fla.) 8. Foothill Packing, Inc. (Salinas, Calif.) 9. Peri & Sons Farms, Inc. (Yerington, Nev.) 10. Virginia Agricultural Growers Assoc., Inc. Workers 11,947 7,134 4,623 2,970 2,653 Top H-2A states 2,082 1,999 (As of Sept. 30) 1,854 1,739 1,602 At some point the system will crash because government agencies are not equipped to handle the increased volume, he said. Agencies are staffed for year-round work, not sea- sonal peaks, he said. Mechanization isn’t the total answer because the U.S. grows and exports more food every year, Gasperini said. That will cause, even with increased mechanization, de- mand for labor to go up, he said. Agency limitations “As Congress looks at H-2C (to replace H-2A), man- datory E-verify (electronic employment eligibility) and possibly other initiatives, they need to be aware of this growth and make sure govern- ment departments responsible for administering these visa become actual workers, Gas- perini said. H-2A workers are about 10 percent of the nation’s more than 2 million seasonal agri- cultural workers, he said. That’s more than doubled in the last fi ve years, he said. Year-round or permanent ag worker are about another 500,000, he said. Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor Alan Kenaga/ Capital Press programs are ready for the growth. They barely keep up now,” said Kerry Scott, pro- gram manager of masLabor, Lovingston, Va., the largest provider of temporary H-2A agricultural and H-2B nonag- ricultural workers in the na- tion. 200,049 visas The 200,049 H-2A visas authorized by DOL in 2017 was 6,107 fewer than the number requested, according to DOL. The number of authorized H-2A visas has been increas- ing by 18 to 20 percent for several years. There were 139,832 H-2A visas approved in 2015, 116,689 in 2014 and 98,821 in 2013, according to DOL. Generally, about 90 per- cent of those authorizations The latest DOL numbers show Florida leading in 2017 H-2A workers at 25,303, up 12.6 percent. Georgia is sec- ond at 23,421, up 11.7 per- cent. North Carolina is third at 20,713, up 10.4 percent. Washington is fourth at 18,535, up 9.3 percent. Cali- fornia is fi fth at 15,232, up 7.6 percent. After that, Louisiana, Kentucky, New York, Michi- gan and Arizona round out the top 10 states. “Florida, Washington and Michigan see higher growth because whole crops are start- ing to shift in a big way to H-2A because of lesser migrant movement,” Gasperini said. Top H-2A crops A breakdown of 2017 H-2A workers by crops or oc- cupation shows berries No. 1 at 21,946 workers, up 11 per- cent. Apples is No. 2 at 12,697, up 6.3 percent. Tobacco is third at 12,534, also up 6.3 percent. Fruits and vegetables fourth at 12,465, up 6.2 per- cent and general farmworkers at 12,037, up 6 percent. That is followed by mel- ons, corn, peppers, sweet pota- toes and hay and straw. LEGAL CASE NO.: 17CV29151 By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION To: ALL OTHER UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 7990 HERON STREET, SALEM, OR 97305 Legal-44-4-3/999 USDA is again holding off on putting in place organic livestock and poultry practices, delaying the Nov. 14 effective date. The controversial rule was fi nalized in the waning days of the Obama administration, but has been on rocky ground with the new administration. LEGAL ZIEVE BRODNAX & STEELE, LLP By: /s/ Amy F. Harrington AMY F. HARRINGON, OR Bar 123363 Attorneys for Plaintiff WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, DOING BUSINESS AS CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR BRONZE CREEK TITLE TRUST 2014-NPL1, A DELAWARE TRUST PURSUANT TO ORS CHAPTER 98 Notice is hereby given that the following vehicle will be sold, for cash to the highest bidder, on 11/21/17. The sale will be held at 10:00am by PARKING ENFORCEMENT SERVICES 1768 13TH ST. SE SALEM, OR 2008 CHRYSLER 300 4D VIN =2C3KA43R28H126931 Amount due on lien $2912.00 Reputed owner(s) ROLANDO & ROGELIO BAROCIO SELCO COMM CU Legal-45-2-3/999 LEGAL CHERRY AVENUE STORAGE 2680 Cherry Ave. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 399-7454 AUCTION SAT., DEC. 2 ND • 10 A.M. • Unit AS-34 Kyle Blackman • Unit #33 Jamie Meza and Judie Durham • Unit #46 Altheria Rabb • Unit #72 Marilen Pineda • Unit #73 Mirian Flores • Unit #179 John Codner • Unit #186 - #193 Juanita Thompson • Unit #222 Shante and Ranae Stroud • Unit #C-1 Summer Richey Cherry Avenue Storage reserves the right to refuse any and all bids It adds new provisions for livestock handling and trans- portation for slaughter and avi- an living conditions in organic production. It also expands existing requirements for live- stock care and production prac- tices and mammalian living conditions. The Organic Trade Associa- tion says the rule represents 14 years of work to improve and clarify organic animal regula- tions and has universal support among the organic community, animal welfare advocates and consumers. But conventional livestock groups oppose the rule on several fronts, saying the pro- posed practices aren’t based on science but aimed at con- sumer perception and threaten LEGAL both animal and human public health. Initially proposed in April 2016, the rule was set to go in place March 20 of this year. President Trump’s executive order putting a freeze on all pending regulations for 60 days delayed implementation un- til May 19. But USDA again delayed implementation until Nov. 14, citing signifi cant pol- icy and legal issues warranting further review. Anticipating yet another delay, OTA fi led suit against USDA in Septem- ber, seeking judicial review of the administration’s delay. The lawsuit is pending. In a statement on Thursday, OTA said it will “continue to fi ght to uphold organic stan- dards that this administration continues to willfully ignore by repeatedly delaying this fully vetted and fi nal voluntary organic standard. We will see the department in court and are confi dent that we will prevail on this important issue for the organic sector.” Michael Conaway, chair- man of the House Agriculture Committee, released a state- ment in support of the delay. “The organic livestock rule goes far beyond the scope of the National Organic Program, threatening animal health and food safety, and jeopardizing the livelihoods of numerous farmers and ranchers,” he said. “I am hopeful the Trump ad- ministration’s commitment to regulatory reform will result in the continued roll-back of bur- densome regulations like this one,” he said. USDA stated a material er- ror in the record was discovered during the course of reviewing the rule, in addition to a ques- tion about the scope of the stat- utory authority. “USDA is delaying the rule so that important questions, such as the likely costs and ben- efi ts, can be more fully assessed through the notice and com- ment process prior to making a fi nal decision on the direction of the rule,” the agency stated. PURSUANT TO ORS CHAPTER 819 Notice is hereby given that the following vehicle will be sold, for cash to the highest bidder, on 12/7/17. The sale will be held at 10:00am by WILTSE’S TOWING 3120 CHERRY AVE SE SALEM, OR 2017 HONDA HRV VIN =3CZRU6H30HG700616 Amount due on lien $905.00 Reputed owner(s) ARLENE WEBB HONDA LEASE TRUST The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces a meeting for the Washington State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 9:30am - 3:00pm at 316 W. Boone Ave., Suite 450, Spokane, WA. Remote access is also available. For more information, contact Nick Vira, (360) 704-7758. 46-3/999 LEGAL LEGAL LEGAL PURSUANT TO ORS CHAPTER 98 Notice is hereby given that the following vehicle will be sold, for cash to the highest bidder, on 11/28/17. The sale will be held at 10:00am by PARKING ENFORCEMENT SERVICES 1768 13TH ST. SE SALEM, OR 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY 4D VIN =4T1BB46K78U049859 Amount due on lien $3106.00 Reputed owner(s) CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ PURSUANT TO ORS CHAPTER 87 Notice is hereby given that the following vehicle will be sold, for cash to the highest bidder, on 11/22/17. The sale will be held at 10:00am by MCCOY FREIGHTLINER 4060 INTERSTATE PL. NE BROOKS, OR 2004 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA VIN = 1FUJA6CKX4LM43478 Amount due on lien $5630.00 Reputed owner(s) DOROTHY COLEMAN ALLSTATE FINANCE Legal-45-2-3/999 THE STATE OF OREGON TO THE DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT(S) ABOVE NAMED: You are hereby directed and required to appear in, and defend against, this legal action within 30 days after the first date of publication of summons, which is the 3rd day of November, 2017, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, DOING BUSINESS AS CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR BRONZE CREEK TITLE TRUST 2014-NPL1, A DELAWARE TRUST and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, ZIEVE BRODNAX & STEELE, LLP, at their office below stated; and in case of your failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. This is a Complaint for Judicial Foreclosure of Deed of Trust. You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear” you must file with the court a legal paper called a “motion” or “answer.” The “motion” or “answer” must be given to the court clerk or administrator within 30 days along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service on the plaintiff’s attorney or, if the plaintiff does not have an attorney, proof of service on the plaintiff. If you have any questions, you should see an attorney immediately. If you need help in finding an attorney, you may contact the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service online at www.oregonstatebar.org or by calling (503) 684-3763 in the Portland metropolitan area. DATED: October 26, 2017 USDA again delays organic livestock rule legal-46-2-1/999 WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, DOING BUSINESS AS CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR BRONZE CREEK TITLE TRUST 2014-NPL1, A Delaware Trust, Plaintiff, vs. BRIAN D. GIBSON, an individual; TAMI K. GIBSON, an individual; OREGON DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; and ALL OTHER UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 7990 HERON STREET, SALEM, OR 97305. Defendants. PURSUANT TO ORS CHAPTER 98 Notice is hereby given that the following vehicle will be sold, for cash to the highest bidder, on 11/27/17. The sale will be held at 10:00am by TRS OREGON INC. 1210 22ND ST SE, SALEM, OR 2001 BMW 330i VIN = WBAAV534X1FJ65860 Amount due on lien $3744.00 Reputed owner(s) OCEANA MONTANEZCRUZ, ANGELA LINDLOW Legal-46-2-1/999 LEGAL Legal-46-2-1/999 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF MARION Legal-45-2-3/999