Toward a Broader Vision of Sustainability: Social Equity in Sustainable Agriculture

Project Overview

SW06-033
Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2006: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2008
Region: Western
State: California
Principal Investigator:
Ron Strochlic
California Institute for Rural Studies

Commodities

  • Fruits: general
  • Vegetables: general

Practices

  • Education and Training: workshop
  • Sustainable Communities: community development

    Abstract:

    The goal of this project was to raise awareness among growers in California about the relationship between positive farm labor practices and increased labor retention, quality and productivity. The project offered tools and information about positive farm labor management practices and the growing market for “socially sustainable” food via 10 workshops reaching 206 growers. A companion manual, “Keeping Your Employees Happy and Your Production Profitable: Positive Practices in Farm Labor Management,” has been disseminated widely to growers throughout CA and is available at no cost to download on both the CIRS and National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) websites.

    Project objectives:

    Workshops highlighting information on improved farm labor management practices were offered to growers throughout California. Expected outcomes include:

    1. Participating growers will exhibit increased awareness of the importance of positive farm labor management in the success of their farm operation.

    2. Growers participating in these workshops will be able to identify at least three improved farm labor management practices.

    3. An estimated 25% of workshop participants will implement one or more new farm labor management practices, as presented in the workshops.
    Growers implementing new farm practices will report a more stable and dedicated farm labor force.

    4. Growers implementing new farm labor management practices will report increased access to niche markets seek food from sustainable farms with positive farm labor conditions.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.