HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bellenger, M. Articles by Hite, D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Bellenger, M. Articles by Hite, D. Agricola Articles by Bellenger, M. Articles by Hite, D.

Producer Preferences for Migrant Labor and the Wage, Hours, and Gross Sales Effects in Alabama's Horticulture Industry

¹ Department of Economics, Oregon State University, 303 Ballard Extension Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3612
² Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, 100B Comer Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-4601
³ Professor, Department of Horticulture, Auburn University, 139B Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849
⁴ Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, 202 Comer Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-4601

Additional Index Words. H2-A • survey • local labor • probit • log-linear • firm characteristics • part-time workers • industry concerns

Nursery, greenhouse, and sod production remains very labor-intensive, and a large portion of the agricultural labor force is made up of migrant workers. As a result of the perishable nature of horticultural goods, a skilled and accessible labor supply is imperative for continued industry growth and stability. Using 2004 survey data, this study uses log-linear regression analysis to examine the effects of migrant labor on wages, hours, and gross sales in Alabama's horticulture industry. A binomial probit model is added to measure producer decisions to hire migrant workers. The presence of migrant workers is found to raise average wages within green industry firms but exhibits no significant effects on hours and sales. The binomial probit model indicates that producer concerns may have some influence on their decision to hire migrant workers. Producers who perceive government regulations as a threat to their industry are less likely to hire migrant workers. This indicates that there may be a greater level of government regulation associated with hiring migrant workers when compared with local workers. Concerns for lack of professionalism appear to raise the demand for migrant rather than local workers.