Winston Taylor, one of many Jamaican workers who come to Harvard each year, thins fruit on apple trees at Carlson Orchards during a previous season. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Jamaican orchard workers at Carlson and Westward orchards were left reeling after Hurricane Melissa struck their home country Oct. 28. The hurricane, which had reached a Category 5 intensity by the time it struck land in Jamaica, was one of the most severe Atlantic hurricanes in recorded history, leaving a path of destruction and hardship in its wake.
Many farms across New England employ agricultural workers from Jamaica through the H-2A visa program, which allows temporary migration to the U.S. for seasonal work. Orchards like Harvard’s own Carlson and Westward rely heavily on the extra staffing and labor provided by migrant farm workers, and often hire the same crews of people year after year.
Some of the seasonal staff from Jamaica have been working at Carlson and Westward for decades, creating a sense of community and care between the workers and the orchard owners. When the news broke about Hurricane Melissa, both orchards scrambled to provide support to help staff members and their families back home in Jamaica. “These men are like family to us; we care about them deeply,” Kerri Green, of Westward Orchards, wrote to the Press, “Knowing that they are going through this on the heels of being away from home for four to six months is heartbreaking.”
By now, most of the staff have returned to Jamaica, but when the hurricane hit, they were still here working in Harvard, learning about the storm and its impacts second hand. “It hurt them that their families are going through this while they’re still here,” said Katie Carlson, the manager of Carlson Orchards. “Their families, neighbors, loved ones … everybody is going through such a big crisis right now,” Carlson said. “When one is hurt, we’re all hurt,” she added.
Returning to significant damage
In the aftermath of the hurricane, the orchard workers are returning home this month to significant damage and facing the daunting task of recovery. Yuen Edwards is from Kingston, Jamaica, and has been working at Carlson Orchards for the past seven years. In an interview with the Press, he described reports of flooding in his house and property, crops lost on his farm, and widespread power outages. The impacts for Edwards’ family are “really bad,” he said, and explained that the damaged farmland poses a particular challenge since that means losing crops for both food and income. “Everything was set back; we need to build back,” Edwards said.
Audley Gentles, who has worked at Carlson for more than 34 years, reported similar losses to his home in Manchester, Jamaica. Manchester, he noted, was one of the areas most severely impacted by the storm. Gentles said the storm blew part of the roof off his house, and the surrounding roads were damaged and flooded. “It’s a disaster,” he said.
The severity and impact of the hurricane varied from place to place in Jamaica, but all the orchard workers are facing some degree of devastation. Green summarized the issues experienced by the workers at Westward Orchards in an email to the Press, reiterating especially the agricultural losses. “All of them are farmers so their families have lost entire crops which will impact their income moving forward,” Green wrote, also noting that areas without power are lacking clean, running water.
To support Jamaican farm workers as they rebuild their livelihoods following the hurricane, Westward and Carlson orchards have each organized fundraisers on their behalf.
“The best way the community can support them right now is through our GoFundMe,” Green wrote. “Post-hurricane inflation is going to make the cost of materials for repairs, fresh water, and food very expensive. Shouldering some of the financial burden will be the biggest help right now.”
Each orchard has its own GoFundMe webpage to raise donations for their respective staff. As of Sunday, Westward had raised $16,050, just surpassing its $16,000 goal, and Carlson had raised $9,130 of its $10,000 goal. All donations will go directly to the Jamaican workers, split evenly among them.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support our GoFundMe has received since we launched it last week,” Green added. “We have been truly touched by everyone’s kindness and generosity, and we know they will be too.”
“It can help us a lot,” Edwards said about the fundraiser at Carlson Orchards. “We appreciate it.”
Green and Carlson both expressed gratitude for all the help the workers provide the orchards every season, and both said they want to reciprocate by aiding them in this time of need.
“They do so much for us while they’re here,” Carlson told the Press. “Without the Jamaican workers, the farms would not be what they are today,” she said, “Without them … we don’t stand a chance.”
