What happens to an orchard’s seasonal pickers when the owner changes?
Pickers stay or go according to how they were engaged. Some crews return only because they know the owner or the foreman, so ask how workers were hired, who arranges their housing and transport, and whether those arrangements pass to you or must be rebuilt.
Start by learning how the crew is assembled. Some orchards hire pickers directly each year, some use a labour contractor and some rely on a foreman who brings people back by reputation. Each pattern passes differently to a new owner. A foreman’s loyalty belongs to the foreman, so meet that person early and learn what they expect.
Ask what the previous season looked like in terms of crew size and turnover. Ask about everything surrounding the work: housing, transport, meals, pay timing and any agreements with a worker program or contractor. Find out whether any of these are tied to the seller by name or to the property. If housing comes with the land, inspect it. If workers were arranged through a contract, have your lawyer read it and tell you whether it transfers.
Plan the first harvest as a joint effort and agree who pays and supervises each task. Ask the seller to introduce you before the season, take part in the early days of picking and tell the crew how their pay and conditions will carry forward. A calm, clear message avoids losing workers to the farm next door. Your accountant can explain payroll and remittance questions that come with taking over employees.
Key takeaways
- Learn who really recruits the crew: owner, contractor or foreman.
- Check housing, transport and contracts for what transfers.
- Have the seller introduce you before the first harvest.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to reduce employee turnover
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