Cornell Farmworker Program
Summary
The Issue
New York state employs from 40,000 to 80,000 farmworkers in migrant, seasonal, and year-round agriculture, the vast majority of which are immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Researchers are challenged by the difficulty of gathering accurate data about a community that often wants, or needs, to remain hidden. To meet this challenge, Cornell researchers use a number of information-gathering techniques including administering surveys, conducting field interviews, analyzing existing data, developing commodity timelines, and convening focus groups.
The research identifies farmworker needs associated with their employment and living situation including: the desire for English language instruction; immigration information; support for cultural understanding and community integration; increased access to healthcare services; improved access to banking, shopping, education services, and childcare; and additional training in agricultural production and farm and food safety.
Response
Impacts
Farmworker Characteristics
In order to inform policy makers and help establish the service levels needed to serve the farmworkers and their families, Cornell researchers are conducting demographic studies to find out exactly how many people make up the statewide farmworker community, where they live, what their lives are like, and what their aspirations are. CFP researchers inform scholars, students, community members, policy makers, and the media about the nature and concerns of New York farmworkers through public meetings and other information avenues.
Specific projects include:
- Up-to-date, reliable, and comprehensive data on the Latino farmworker population in New York;
- Contributions made by farmworkers and their families and the extent to which they use existing services;
- Latino perceptions of health, culture, and literacy;
- Farmworker integration into broader communities.
Immigrant farmworkers contributions and aspirations
Immigrant farmworkers are found in some of the most remote rural communities and are increasingly choosing to settle there. Often these workers are easily integrated into the communities, but at other times their presence creates tension with long-time residents. Community members are relatively unaware of the needs and aspirations of immigrant farmworkers. The CFP provides information about the nature and consequences of the increasing number of immigrants settling in New York communities.
Cornell researchers published Immigrants and Community, a four-part study about the nature and consequences of the increasing number of immigrants settling in New York. This publication provides information to help communities address important questions. For example, does the appearance of immigrants lead to renewed community development opportunities? Are immigrant farmers an asset or a burden? http://rnyi.cornell.edu/
To examine the common perception that farmworkers are a drain on local economies, the CFP is engaged in research to present a balanced perspective on how farmworkers contribute to New York communities. For example, researchers analyze farmworker contributions through state and federal tax deductions from their salaries, social security and disability payments, investment in local communities, and their value in the production process. And they examine the extent to which farmworkers use state and federally supported health and education programs.
To better communicate farmworker perspectives about immigration issues, the CFP facilitates farmworker panel discussions at education forums for agricultural educators, policy makers, and producers.
Education and outreach support to farmworkers
The CFP addresses farmworker needs through education and outreach projects. These include community forums as well as on-farm information sessions. To address farmworker concerns about immigration issues, the CFP facilitates workshops with immigration specialists. Working with CCE county offices and service agencies throughout the state, Cornell faculty, staff, and students engage farmworkers and their families in their homes, workplaces, and community centers. Cornell students play a central role in CFP research, outreach, and education.
Other projects include:
- Tutoring farmworker children;
- Supporting on-farm English as a Second Language classes;
- Publishing a bilingual service directory organized by county;
- Providing support for farmworker access to health services;
- Holding on-farm educational forums on New York driving laws;
- Printing instruction materials in both English and Spanish.
CFP collaborations to meet farmworker needs
CFP works with collaborators across the university to build upon resources and expertise to further address farmworker needs. Here are a few examples:
The CFP expands farmworkers’ access to the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) materials to reduce microbial hazards and risks in the production and packing of fresh fruits and vegetables. GAP materials include: bilingual photo novels, a 72-page coloring book for children, booklets, posters and video training programs that address worker health and hygiene.
http://www.gaps.cornell.edu
CFP also collaborates with the Quality Milk Production Services in Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. QMPS provides on-farm bilingual training for farmworkers to improve milk quality, animal care, and farm safety, including customized training materials based on each farm's standard operating procedures. http://www.qmps.vet.cornell.edu
CFP conducts an expanded array of events for farm managers, employees, legislators, and educators to foster cross-cultural understanding.
Partners and Collaborators
The CFP brings collaborators from Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Human Ecology, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Law School, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. This collaboration is represented in the CFP steering committee by Mary Jo Dudley (Development Sociology), Max Pfeffer (Development Sociology), Pilar Parra (Nutritional Sciences), Sofia Villenas (Education), Bob Gravani (Food Science), Josephine Allen (Policy Analysis), Debra Castillo (Romance Studies), Lance Compa (Collective Bargaining, Labor Law, and Labor History), Angela Cornell (Law School and ILR), and Lisa Coffin (Quality Milk Production Services).
The CFP addresses farmworker needs through education and outreach projects.
The CFP is engaged in research to present a balanced perspective on how farmworkers contribute to New York communities.
Contact
Mary Jo DudleyDirector, Cornell Farmworker Program
321 Warren Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Phone: 607-254-5194
Email: farmworkers@cornell.edu
Web: http://devsoc.cals.cornell.edu/outreach/cfp/