File this under “you aren’t supposed to know this part…”

HERE is the AP report in Business Week.

HERE is info on the H2A. HERE is a longer version of the AP report in which there is at least a hint of the H2A, but it is described as more expensive than use of illegal workers – and less “flexible” :

Farmers rely on seasonal laborers, including many illegal immigrants, to harvest labor-intensive crops such as strawberries, onions, peaches and tobacco. The agriculture lobbying group says Americans refuse to take the difficult, low-paying jobs.

The federal government has a guest-worker program for agriculture workers, but farmers say it’s expensive to use and inflexible.