The Changing Nature of American Agriculture and Its Impact on Hispanic Farm Labor: Topics for Research and Analysis

1989

Refugio Rochin

Document Id: WP-03

This paper examines the large scale trends in America's agriculture leading to larger and fewer farms and changes in the farm population and hired worker patterns. The author draws out several important implications for Latino farm laborers, especially seasonal and migrant farm workers. The overall implication of these changes is that they will lead to a greater regulation of farm labor which, in turn, could lead to fewer employment possibilities for domestic Latino farm workers and greater utilization of imported farm labor. Also laid out are several issues for research related to these trends and their implications. Dr. Rochín examines the large scale trends in America's agriculture leading to larger and fewer farms as well as changes in the farming population and hired worker patterns. Rochín then draws out several important implications for Latino farm laborers, with an emphasis on seasonal and migrant farm workers. The author argues that these changes will lead to a greater structuration and regulation of farm labor which, in turn, could lead to fewer employment possibilities for domestic Latino farm workers and a greater utilization of imported farm labor. Several research issues related to these trends and their implications are also explored.

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