Dignity in the fields

The U.S. food system is the largest industry employer in this country, with more than 28 million individuals laboring across production, processing, distribution, and more. Across these sectors, food workers experience some of the lowest wages and rates of unionization in the country, and some of the highest rates of injury and food insecurity.

Zooming in on agriculture in particular, we see a long history of exploitation that has gone hand-in-hand with federal legislation that has served to set the ag industry apart as “exceptional.” In particular, two New Deal-era laws excluded farmworkers from many of the workplace protections extended to other industries – like the right to organize and collectively bargain, the observation of the 40-hour work week, and the payment of overtime wages. 

Too often, agricultural labor is regarded as unskilled, dirty, and uneducated labor - which serves the double purpose of keeping the experiences of agricultural workers far from the public view.

These conditions and views, which are interwoven with long histories of creating workforces of immigrant labor through colonial economic and migration policies, have further primed agricultural workers for exploitation. And with more federal resources being poured into ICE raids, farmworkers with marginalized status and precarious protections face threats of deportation, family separation and direct physical violence. 

And yet, we also see communities taking action everywhere to support and protect each other, share resources, show solidarity and demand to be treated with dignity. Growing food for our communities is truly noble and crucial work despite voices who may say otherwise.

We also sometimes hear the message that immigrant labor is valuable because immigrants do work that U.S. citizens don’t want to do as a way to justify protecting immigrants from deportation.

We want to push back on this framing and instead recenter the larger vision: that all people deserve dignity and protection regardless of the work they engage in; that we can move toward the vision that every labor experience in farming can be dignified, honored, protected and recognized; and that what matters is building a world where people can grow food for themselves and their communities, connect to land, and sustain themselves. 

Additional resources:

• Video: Protect Workers From ICE

• ICE Toolkit for Employers

• Private / Not Open to the Public signs/stickers

• Printable “Know Your Rights” cards

  • Dual-language (English, Spanish) card template

  • Dual-language (English, Hmong) card template 

  • How to use your red card

• A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace

• Impacts of Deportations on Food Supply 

• Immigration Reform, H2A, and Justice for Farmworkers (2023)

What grows when we work together

As we wrap up our July program highlight series, I want to thank you for coming along as we spotlighted some of the powerful, behind-the-scenes work that helps grow resilient food communities.

You heard how our Partner Shares and Community Partnerships programs make it possible for families to enjoy vibrant, farm-fresh produce — sometimes for the very first time. From flexible payment plans to getting bulk produce into food pantries and schools, it’s all part of our commitment to fresh food for all.

You also learned how we’re supporting the hands that grow that food. Through the Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship, we’re helping train the next generation of skilled farm leaders while also helping farms navigate the challenges of extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and a changing climate.

And finally, we shared how essential farmer-to-farmer networks are in keeping growers connected, supported, and inspired. Whether it’s advice on managing pests or just knowing someone else out there “gets it,” these connections are the roots of a stronger, more sustainable food system.

This is just a glimpse into what FairShare does year-round to support farmers and nourish communities. This work is possible because people like you believe in it.

If you’re inspired by what we’ve shared and want to see this kind of impact continue and grow, we invite you to support it here. Your gift helps sustain these programs at a time when many funding sources are shifting or disappearing.

Thank you for being part of this community.

Building strong farm communities

Picture this: you’re a farmer, facing a new pest that you don’t know how to handle. Or you’re having trouble with irrigation. Who do you turn to for help? Where do you go for more information?

Farming is a deeply rewarding profession. But it can also be incredibly isolating. That’s why community matters so much. Having a network of other growers to lean on, learn from, and laugh with can make all the difference.

At FairShare, we know how important it is to create spaces where farmer-to-farmer connections happen. Besides hosting our grower listserv where farmers share knowledge, we also coordinate two larger groups: the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network for farmers across our region, and the national CSA Innovation Network focused on strengthening CSA.

We’re frequently told how valuable these peer resources are, like in this note from a Midwestern producer in our MVEG Network:

“Every bit and piece of my farm has taken some kind of advice or input from the peer-to-peer talks—hearing what other farmers are doing to make their jobs easier and sharing that knowledge with everyone. We have a diverse production of organic vegetables, and I was able to take in a lot and utilize this info on the farm in more ways than one.”

Whether in a workshop on a farm, conference session, or virtual discussion with other producers, growers crave connection with their peers. And we’re right there in the weeds with them, making sure they feel supported every step of the way.