JD Vance's Investment in AppHarvest Under Scrutiny for Poor Working Conditions

Former employees describe extreme heat, insufficient safety measures, and broken promises at the now-bankrupt startup.

AppHarvest, backed by JD Vance, faced bankruptcy and severe worker complaints over unsafe conditions and management practices.
Workers reported temperatures reaching 128 degrees, lack of proper safety gear, and inadequate water breaks in the company's greenhouses.
Despite initial promises of local employment, the company increasingly relied on migrant labor from Mexico and Guatemala.
Vance's campaign contends he left the board in April 2021 and was unaware of the issues that arose afterward.
The incident raises questions about Vance's advocacy for the working class as he campaigns for vice president.