California jobs bloodbath as major strawberry grower announces farm closures, hundreds of layoffs
A major Southern California strawberry grower is planning to shut down six farms and dump more than 570 workers as the industry struggles with mounting financial losses and a growing union fight.SoCal Berry Growers notified the Oxnard City Council on Halloween of its plans to close six Ventura County farms and lay off approximately 572 employees, most of them strawberry pickers.The farms are expected to shutter between Jan.11 and Jan.
25, 2027.Under California law, companies must give state and local officials at least 60 days’ notice before laying off 50 or more workers or closing an entire facility.All six farms grow strawberries for agricultural giant Driscoll’s.The planned closures come as Ventura County’s lucrative strawberry industry grapples with rising costs and stagnant sales, leaving growers struggling to turn a profit.Although strawberries generated $808 million in wholesale revenue for Ventura County growers in 2025, the industry collectively lost about 1% of that revenue.Top farm officials have sounded the alarm.“We are at a precipice in Ventura County,” Louise Lampara, the CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, told the Ventura County Star.“The ag economics are horrifying.
No industry can continue if year after year after year you’re seeing decreasing returns.”The warning signs extend beyond strawberries.Ventura County’s total agricultural revenue hit a record $2.4 billion in 2025, but the figure represents a 19% decline over the past decade when adjusted for inflation, according to the Star.And more farm closures could be coming.“I’m not shocked at all, based on the numbers,” she said.
“You can only operate at a loss for so long.”United Farm Worker Vice President Roman Pinal laid the blame on SoCal Berry Growers, accusing the operation of closing because workers unionized in July.“Instead of giving the workers a chance to negotiate a fair contract, SoCal management is now saying it will shut down, in what we believ...