Is H-2A a Good Fit for Your Business? Find Out at the GROW Executive Summit
November 5, 2022 
Labor availability has become a defining challenge for a generation of greenhouse operations. Programs such as H-2A have been a successful option for some, but the expense and regulations involved with the program are leading them to reconsider its viability for their operations.
During a session at the 2022 GROW Executive Summit in a little less than a month, Troy Shumaker, Operations Manager at Manzana, will take a deep dive into the complexities and economics of the H-2A program and help you understand its potential impact on your business growth.
“Labor continues to be a major concern in our industry,” Shumaker says. “Greenhouse and nursery owners/operators need to know that there is another option available to secure a stable, reliable seasonal workforce. The H-2A process is not as complicated as it may seem, and it can provide a grower with a seasonal workforce that will allow them to focus on growing their business.”
Shumaker has spent most of his career in the horticultural industry. After graduating from Hope College, he was hired as a staff accountant for Walters Gardens. Over the next 28 years, Walters Gardens experienced triple digit growth and went from national recognition to global recognition. During this time, Shumaker’s career also grew, and he was promoted to the position of CFO, which he held for eight years until being promoted to COO, where he oversaw both the operational excellence and sales efforts for Walters Gardens.
The exponential growth of the company put a tremendous strain on the existing labor force, and a change needed to be made. In 2018, Walters Gardens brought in its first H-2A labor force, and over the next three years, Shumaker worked directly with each department manager to implement quality standards and develop quantitative strategies to maximize production and reduce overall labor costs.
Troy has seen first-hand the impact and benefits of utilizing an H-2A labor force. So much so that he joined Manzana LLC in 2020, where he now utilizes his knowledge and experience to help other horticultural companies understand the value and impact H-2A workers can have on an organization.
“My favorite part of my job is meeting so many genuine people and hearing about the history of their businesses,” Shumaker says. “This industry is rich with history, built with strong work ethics and home-grown innovations developed to solve everyday problems, in addition to beautiful plants. It’s hard not to love it!”
Advanced registration for the GROW Executive Summit ends Nov. 8. Click here to save your spot!
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