Ben LaCross, of Cedar, is a cherry, plum and apple farmer in Leelanau County and chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. LaCross authored this AFBF "Focus on Agriculture" viewpoint as shared here. To reproduce, please give credit to AFBF; for example, "as originally published by the American Farm Bureau Federation."

Like all of the young American farmers I know, Leo has dreams, ambitions and goals. He wants to provide a better life for his family. He's focused on the goal of sending his son to college. It's a typical American story. But Leo's story strays from the traditional plot. Leo is from Mexico.

Some would call Leo a farm worker. I call him a farmer. For a big chunk of each year, Leo is my right-hand man, working beside me to tend my Michigan cherry orchard and bring in the harvest. Leo is invaluable to my success as an American farmer. In fact, Leo is an integral part of my farm's business family. 

Without the seasonal farm services provided by Leo and his counterparts on farms all across our nation, the ability to grow, tend and harvest food in America would grind to a halt.

For the full article from AgriNotes and News click here: Focus on Agriculture Viewpoint