During the Second World War, local farmers had to contend with a scarcity of labor that caused many to reduce acreage under cultivation.

In 1942, the federal government proposed recruiting laborers in other southern states and transporting them to Pompano at a cost to the local farmer of $5.00 per person. Pompano farmers rejected the proposal as it would have required them to sign employment contacts with the government.

In order to preserve their labor force, farmers were urged to seek draft exemptions for their key workers.