Ayres is the Director of Human Resources at FirstFruits Farms, the largest grower of Opal apples in the United States. Located along the Snake River in southeastern Washington, the farm depends on reliable, seasonal labour to keep operations moving. Since 2022, Ayres has turned to Jamaica through the H-2A program to meet that need.

“The experience has been overwhelmingly positive,” he says. “We’ve been very impressed by the quality and reliability of the workers.”

But for Ayres, who has worked in consulting, accounting, and human resource leadership for more than 20 years, it’s not just about the workers. The structure of the program matters.

“Our liaison officer, Sheldon, lives in Washington during the harvest. He’s always just a phone call away. That kind of presence and responsiveness makes a real difference.”

In addition to his role at FirstFruits, Ayres also runs Desert Management Services, a company that guides growers through the H-2A process. From that vantage point, he’s seen the inner workings of labour recruitment across multiple countries.

“One of the questions people always ask me is whether using Jamaican workers is too expensive. I tell them…do the math. When you compare it to the cost from other Central American countries, it’s usually the same or within a hundred dollars,” he explains. “And that doesn’t account for the added value Jamaica brings through structure and support. It’s absolutely worth it.”

That support starts early.
“Another major benefit is the pre-departure orientation. It’s something no other country does with their H-2A workers,” Ayres says. “It’s a huge advantage for us as employers, and for the workers when they arrive in America, as they come prepared.”

He also pointed to efficiency. Visas are secured early. Workers arrive on time. There are no surprises.
“That consistency gives us the predictability we need,” Ayres says. “This programme delivers. It’s not about cheap labour. It’s about smart labour.”

Employers like Ayres see the difference that structure, preparation, and steady support make. With each season, Jamaica is proving itself as a reliable and long-term partner. The JCLO model does more than just deliver labour. It is delivering results.