Dear Grace,
My husband and I have a dairy farm. My family has been farmers going back generations, and I’m proud of that. We have always treated our farm workers well, and we get to know their kids and families. Some are from towns around here, and some are immigrants. We rely on the H-2A visa program (don’t get me started on that big, expensive headache), and we’ve been able to squeak by every year.
Recently, my county had a raid from ICE at a bunch of farms. Folks we know were carted off…even people with papers. The farms that got hit are scrambling without workers. My husband has been stressed and can’t sleep. We’re both scared that our workers will be separated from their kids. We’re worried that we’ll end up [the] creek without a paddle like those other farms.
I’m worried that all of this mess will really hurt our business, or even shut us down.
What can I do to support my husband and the good guys who work with us?
– Sleepless, Stressed Out, and Scared in PA
Dear Sleepless,
First, take a breath. What you’re carrying is heavy, and anyone in your shoes would feel shaken. You care deeply about your family’s land, your workers, your husband, and the community you all have built together. That alone says a lot about the kind of woman you are.
When the world feels like it’s spinning out of control, kindness can feel like the only steady ground—and you’ve already got that part down. You’re not overreacting; this is real fear, and it’s rooted in real love for your people. Here is some advice that I hope will help…
