I also spoke to the onion farmer, Shay. He will only has part of his labour force coming from Mexico this season. He has a mere 4000 acres. That’s considered a

I also spoke to the onion farmer, Shay. He will only has part of his labour force coming from Mexico this season. He has a mere 4000 acres. That’s considered a small farm. He is going to need automation. Another small acreage farmer in California has put out an appeal for funds to fight the legal battle for his worker who tried to cross the border twice and couldn’t..and got caught the third time. I have so many other stories of small and big farmers growing food having to deal with labour. They are partly to blame for not demanding automation. But the biggest blame rests with those supplying consumers and getting them used to low prices for food. Entire Ag rests on exploitation of low wage earning labour. Almost all of it is immigrant/migrant labour..only those who are desparate for those jobs. Automation of small and local food farms is a matter of national security and food security. Not being able to farm close to population hubs is also largely due to high density cities. Half land area must be set aside for farm and open spaces. It’s ok to be high density but only if there is sufficient infrastructure, connectivity and sustainability..and after covid, food security. A variety of farms including urban, rooftop, indoor, hydroponic, orchards and fields should be able to cover 40-50% of food crops. Right now all that is being imported or are part of a cold chain. Or involves trucking or shipping from South America.Grains, oil, fiber, meat, dairy, spices etc are a whole different kind of farming. It’s time to automate small acreage farms. I have been trying to make it happen for 5+ years. I have heard every excuse why it isn’t necessary. Every one of them is now moot.