Why America Needs Skilled H2A Farm Truck Drivers
American farm employers face a serious labor shortage. According to an article published by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American ag industry expects a shortage of 155,000 farmworkers, with labor costs projected to surge past $53 billion. Of course, these numbers include all types of farmworkers, and not just skilled positions such as truck drivers or equipment operators. Still, the fact remains that American farmers and ag businesses are in desperate need of all types of workers, skilled farm truck drivers, equipment operators, and other general farmworkers.
As a result, H2A truck drivers are becoming increasingly essential to American agriculture. As another article published by Farm Progress explains, “[A] nationwide trucker shortage of 80,000 today could top 160,000 by 2030, as aging drivers retire and fewer young people step into [truck driving].” As more and more truck drivers leave or retire from the profession, the need for skilled, qualified, legal farm truck drivers increases, so farmers are turning to the H2A visa program to source drivers.
Today’s blog breaks down why America needs skilled H2A farm drivers and takes a look at a few of the skills these employers are looking for in their seasonal farm truck drivers.
Why skilled truck drivers matter in American ag
Nearly all of the agricultural crop growing operations in America rely on truck drivers at some point or another during their season. Whether it's driving livestock, hauling crops after harvest, or hauling equipment to fields and pastures for planting and cultivating, American ag relies heavily on skilled, experienced, qualified truck drivers to support operations.
Current labor shortages are affecting American farms and agriculture. Farmers are facing impacts on their growing and harvest efficiency, the timing of harvest, and lost revenues as a result. The good news is that the increasing shortage of skilled drivers is creating opportunities for H2A job seekers such as yourself.
Critical role of skilled truck drivers on American farms
When you think about the industries that rely most on truck drivers, the farm and agriculture sectors probably don’t immediately come to mind. However, farms can’t produce without truck drivers to perform key tasks such as:
Helping harvest and transport crops to grain elevators or markets
Transporting farm equipment such as combines, tractors, and sprayers
Keeping operations on schedule and meeting tight deadlines for planting and harvesting cycles
Why skilled H2A truck drivers matter now more than ever
When you consider farm labor shortages and an aging truck driver workforce, it’s easy to see why farms need skilled drivers more than ever. Without trained and skilled drivers, American farms, custom harvesters, and other ag operations are at risk of:
Lower crop yields
Missing time-sensitive harvest windows
Losing out on essential revenue
Failing to uphold work contracts and paid obligations
Needing to outsource basic tasks, costing more time and money
Losing entire harvests
The last thing a farmer wants is to still have their crops sitting in the ground past harvest time. Trucks fuel the ag industry in America, and farmers need skilled drivers to keep their operations running efficiently and profitably.
Check out the 5 skills you learn in farm truck training
Core skills farm employers want out of H2A truck drivers
Our candidates can’t meet the truck driving needs of American farmers if they don’t know which skills those employers are looking for in their workers. Let’s take a look at some of the core skills American farm employers need from their seasonal drivers and farmworkers.
Safety and compliance:
Conducting pre- and post-trip inspections
Knowledge of U.S. road rules and laws
Commercial Driver’s License compliance and requirements
Defensive driving with an accident prevention mindset
Driving and operating:
Knowledge of operating basic farm equipment and its attachments
Proficiency and comfort level driving farm trucks, including semis, flatbeds, and grain trucks
Understanding heavy equipment operations, including equipment transportation and hauling procedures
Basic mechanical and maintenance skills:
Ability to identify minor mechanical issues
Comfort with performing basic maintenance such as oil changes, fluid checks and replacement, tire inspections, trailer inspections
Time management and reliability:
Understanding schedules and the importance of growing and harvest cycles
Punctuality and willingness to work long hours during key times of the season
Dependability during peak season, such as harvest and planting windows
Potential employers also love to see candidates with additional skills and experience beyond those listed above. Here are some additional attributes that will help you really stand out from other H2A candidates:
GPS and route planning expertise
Prior experience in agriculture management or supervising farming operations (even if it’s in your home country)
Verified H2A experience working in America, complete with solid references from past employers
Clean driving record with no prior suspensions or accidents
We understand that it’s hard to gain experience in American ag unless you get an H2A visa job and an opportunity to get that exposure. It’s a maddening cycle that can leave you feeling hopeless or wondering where to start. USA Truck Labor works to solve that dilemma.
How USA Truck Labor prepares you for skilled H2A truck driving jobs
Our training and verification program is designed with direct feedback and input from American farm employers. Our team has visited America, traveled to various farms and ag operations, and received feedback directly from American farmers on what they’re looking for out of their H2A drivers and operators.
We use those insights to continuously develop our program and perfect our curriculum, so you’re trained and placed in the best position to land the H2A job you’ve been waiting for.
