Pennsylvania’s Top Tomato Farmer Calling it Quits

By Michelle Fabio

This season, Keith Eckel, Pennsylvania’s top producer of fresh-market tomatoes, will stop growing tomatoes and plant corn on those 1,200 acres instead.

This in response to Eckel’s fear that his tomatoes would go unpicked because of a lack of workers. Last season, Eckel’s farm had the fewest seasonal workers in 20 years, and Eckel simply doesn’t want to take the chance—even though the move will cut his revenue up to 70 percent.

Although Eckel says his decision is not a protest, he is encouraging lawmakers to Read the rest of this entry »