. >> in the statement that maureen torrey of new york submitted to us, and i have it in the record, she's the owner of torrey farms, a 12th generation farm. took 1,000 acres of fresh market vegetable production out of production and instead planted corn and wheat because they were unsure of how they would get their labor commitment. what did that mean? that meant their payroll for 1,000 acres of onions of $2.5 was replaced by payroll for 1,000 acres of corn for $70,000 per year covering two employees. how that benefits the employee, i do not understand. >> congressman, for the record, we do have last year, 400,000 , only 3,503 farm jobs were certified h2a. >> i don't want you to state under oath exactly what it is. would you say it is fair to suggest that over half of the i california is here withoutal pe? at least 50% or -- >> would you believe that is true nationwide?

. >> in the statement that maureen torrey of new york submitted to us, and i have it in the record, she's the owner of torrey farms, a 12th generation farm. two and a half years ago, they took 1,000 acres of fresh market production and instead planted corn and wheat because they weren't sure how they would get their labor commitment. what did that mean? that meant their payroll for 1,000 acres of onions of $2.5 million for 50 people year round was replaced by payroll for 1,000 acres of corn for $70,000 per year covering two employees. how that benefits the employee, i do not understand. >> congressman, for the record, we do have last year, 400,000 hired farm and ranch workers, only 3,503 farm jobs were certified h2a. >> i don't want you to state under oath exactly what it is. would you say it is fair to suggest that over half of the workforce in the ag fields in california is here without benefit of legal papers? >> we're certainly afraid that at least 50% or -- >> would you believe that is true nationwide? >> yes. >> my time is up. colleague from california. >> thank you very much. thank