As autumn settles over Rulfs Orchard in Peru, New York, Roy “Eddie” Williamson moves quietly between rows of ripening apples on a mud-splattered John Deere ATV. Now 64, Eddie has been returning to these orchards each season since 1988. His presence is steady, his hands experienced, and his name is known wherever the apple bins are full.

“Whenever they ask, ‘Eddie, can you do that?’ I say, ‘No problem,’” he said with a grin.

This season, Eddie is one of 16 Jamaican workers at Rulfs. They arrive in April and stay through November, managing everything from equipment to harvest flow. For many of them, including Eddie, this work is not just about income. It is about continuity, duty, and pride in what they’ve helped to build across two countries.

Back in Jamaica, Eddie has used the opportunity to create a better life. He has built a home, supported his family, and taken pride in showing what disciplined, honest labour can achieve. “What I’ve done with this chance, people in my district see it. It gave us a lift,” he shared.

He credits the Jamaican Government and the liaison officers for making the process structured and secure. The support he receives—both at home and in the field—gives him the confidence to focus fully on the job. He carries himself with a quiet authority, respected by younger workers and known for his deep understanding of the land.

On the orchard, Eddie’s experience speaks before he does. Younger workers watch him for rhythm and approach. He understands the soil, the tree lines, and tells subtle shifts in temperature just by feeling the air.

“They taught me patience,” he once observed. “You don’t rush a tree to bear fruit. You take care of it and wait.”

Eddie knows when the trees are ready, how the weather will turn, and which slope needs more attention. He doesn’t need to speak much. His years in the orchard speak for themselves.

When the season ends, he will return to Jamaica. And when spring comes again, so will Eddie, ready to walk the orchard paths once more.