SACRAMENTO >> Forty percent of California pears shipped to the fresh market come from one county — Lake County. And unlike many other tree crops, pears become ripe within a short time window and they are highly perishable. This means local pear growers need a flood of workers to help pick and pack pears during a short 4 to 6 weeks each summer.
For decades, Lake County teenagers have worked in local pear packing plants. Special state legislation has been introduced every five years to ensure this tradition lives on, allowing local teenagers to participate in Lake County’s pear harvest.
The special exemption in state law allows pear packing plants in Lake County to employ 16 and 17 year olds for up to 10 hours per day during the short peak harvest season — 4 to 6 weeks in the late summer months, when school is not in session.
“Given the economic importance of the famous Lake County pear crop, and the longtime tradition of Lake County residents working the harvest, we’re excited to work with growers from throughout the County to advance this legislation and job training program,” Lake County’s Senator Mike McGuire said. “The best pears in the world come from Lake County and each year during the pear harvest, teenagers learn valuable on-the-job training and skills that can’t be replicated in a classroom.”
SB 702, the Lake County Teen Employment and Training Act, would simply extend the exemption for Lake County until January 2027 and maintain all the existing stringent requirements for employers to receive the exemption. To ensure adequate oversight, SB 702 requires an additional report from the Labor Commissioner to be submitted to the legislature. All employers will still be subject to annual audits to ensure compliance with state laws and to protect all Lake County workers.
SB 702, co-authored by Lake County’s Assemblymember Bill Dodd, was introduced last week and was approved today in its first hearing by the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. The committee voted unanimously, approving the legislation and sending it to the Senate Appropriations committee.
During Wednesday morning’s Committee hearing, Superintendent of Lake County Schools, Brock Falkenberg, Noelle Creamers with the California Farm Bureau and Louie Brown with the California Fresh Fruit Association spoke in support of SB 702. The Lake County Office of Education administers all of the exemption work permits.
Toni Scully of Scully Packing Company in Lake County was also present at the hearing.
“For generations, Lake County students have worked summer jobs in the pear sheds — it’s a way of life in Lake County and we’re excited to work with Senator McGuire on this important program. This program enables students to earn money, gain valuable life experiences and good work habits so they go into their future careers with confidence and skill,” said Scully.
