America’s vast fields depend on a steady flow of hands to harvest, plant, and tend to the food supply. Yet, despite high demand for labor, thousands of agricultural jobs go unfilled each year. The reasons extend far beyond wages and work ethic.
Hidden hurdles ranging from immigration red tape to outdated labor laws and poor housing conditions quietly shut the door on willing workers. Here are 12 key barriers that deter workers from pursuing jobs in agriculture.
Aging Workforce
America’s farms are facing a demographic crossroads. With the average age of farmers nearing 58.1, and only 9% under the age of 35, agriculture is losing ground with younger generations. The physically demanding nature of farm labor, like long hours, harsh weather, and repetitive strain, poses serious challenges for aging workers.
At the same time, younger Americans are opting for urban-based careers in tech and services, lured by better pay and improved working conditions. This generational gap is a quiet crisis for the long-term sustainability of the agricultural workforce.
Unstable Employment
Agricultural work in the U.S. is among the most unstable forms of employment. Many farmworkers are employed for fewer than 150 days per year, with their income tied closely to crop cycles and weather conditions. This volatility leaves workers unable to plan financially or secure stable housing.
A World Bank report notes that agricultural labor productivity is often low and unpredictable, with seasonal migration and job insecurity compounding the issue. A major portion of the workforce lacks access to social protections.
Only about 56% of U.S. farmworkers have health insurance, and even fewer qualify for unemployment benefits. These gaps make agricultural jobs a precarious option for those supporting families or seeking long-term stability.
Rising Costs And Lower Wages
Soaring input costs are tightening the financial vise on American farmers. According to a 2025 Farmonaut report, over 50% of U.S. farmers are experiencing financial stress due to the rising prices of essentials such as fuel, fertilizers, and machinery. Between 2021 and 2022, fertilizer prices alone surged by 28%, significantly inflating operational budgets.
This cost pressure is eroding already-thin profit margins, leaving fewer resources for labor. As a result, many farmers are scaling back on hiring or offering lower wages, making it challenging to attract and retain skilled workers.
Complex H-2A Visa Program
Between FY 2018 and FY 2023, approved H-2A visas surged by over 50%, reaching nearly 310,000 positions. While the program is crucial for supplying legal temporary foreign labor to U.S. farms, it remains mired in administrative complexity.
From navigating labor certifications to securing multi-agency approvals, the bureaucratic burden proves especially daunting for small farms. Despite recent reforms aimed at improving worker protections and streamlining processes, inefficiencies persist, posing a threat to both farm productivity and national food security.
Fear Of Raids And Deportation
Roughly 50% of hired farm workers in the U.S. lack legal work authorization, according to USDA economic analyses. As immigration enforcement intensifies, fear of raids and deportation has driven many undocumented workers into the shadows.
This anxiety leads to erratic attendance, especially during critical harvest periods, and discourages travel to job sites or public spaces. The result: unharvested crops, disrupted operations, and mounting pressure on the nation’s food supply chain.
Physically Taxing
Agricultural labor is among the most physically demanding occupations, with workers often facing long hours and harsh weather conditions. According to the USDA, while the sector accounts for over 10% of all U.S. jobs, it also reports a disproportionately high rate of injuries.
A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that sprains and strains account for 22% of injuries, followed by fractures (15%) and lacerations (13%), often resulting from the use of heavy machinery and sharp tools. Combined with low wages and limited access to healthcare, these risks make agricultural work increasingly unattractive.
Other Industries Pay Better
Agriculture is increasingly losing workers to sectors like construction, warehousing, and hospitality, which offer higher wages, year-round employment, and safer working conditions. For instance, the warehousing industry has seen rapid expansion, driven by the continued rise of e-commerce.
In 2024, construction laborers earned a median annual wage of $46,050, outpacing agricultural workers by over $10,000, while also enjoying a more promising job outlook with 7% projected growth through 2033, compared to a 2% decline forecasted for agricultural employment. So, farm work is a less attractive option for younger workers seeking upward mobility.
Lack of Amenities
Rural communities, especially in remote farming regions, often face chronic underinvestment in infrastructure and essential services. They lack access to public transportation, affordable housing, healthcare, and even basic amenities such as clean water and electricity.
In the U.S., the absence of nearby schools, grocery stores, and community hubs makes rural life less attractive to potential workers. These geographic and infrastructural gaps not only hinder quality of life but also intensify labor shortages in agriculture, as workers are reluctant to relocate to areas with limited support systems and opportunities.
Urban Wage Pull
Across the U.S., rural regions are losing workers to urban centers, where wages and opportunities are more abundant. In Iowa, for example, the unemployment rate stood at just 2.9% in September 2024, reflecting a tight labor market with a limited available workforce.
Meanwhile, data from the American Economic Association shows that workers in large cities earn significantly more—up to 35% higher wages—due to better occupational matching and access to diverse industries. This wage premium draws younger workers away from agriculture-heavy rural areas.
Lower Chance Of Growth
Very few farmworkers receive formal job training, which has caused a major gap in workforce development. Without structured education, mentorship, or access to modern techniques, many workers remain in low-skill roles with limited mobility.
This lack of opportunity discourages younger generations from entering the field, particularly as other industries offer more clear-cut career paths. Expanding training programs and integrating technology could revitalize interest in agriculture as a viable, future-ready profession.
Skill Barriers
Modern agriculture increasingly demands specialized skills—from operating precision machinery and managing irrigation systems to applying sustainable farming techniques. Yet, many of these tasks require significant training or prior experience, which deters potential workers unfamiliar with the tools or technologies involved.
According to Zippia, core competencies like equipment handling, greenhouse management, and irrigation systems are among the most sought-after. Without accessible training pathways or on-the-job learning opportunities, the sector struggles to attract new talent, especially younger workers seeking roles with clearer skill-building and advancement potential.
Regulatory Uncertainty
Farmers in the U.S. face mounting challenges from shifting regulatory landscapes, where changes in immigration, trade, and environmental policy directly impact operations. With 40% of crop workers lacking legal status, any adjustment in immigration enforcement can destabilize labor availability.
Trade policy shifts, such as tariffs or export restrictions, can abruptly increase input costs or restrict market access, while evolving biofuel mandates influence planting decisions and commodity pricing. This constant policy flux not only complicates long-term planning but also increases financial risk, leaving many producers in a state of uncertainty that undermines investment and growth.
