History
Agriculture has historically been one of Oregon’s leading industries. The history of our community of famworkers in Oregon dates back to the early 1940s when thousands of Latino farmworkers first came to the Willamette Valley as part of an agreement between the United States and Mexico known as the Bracero Program. The Program began in 1941, shortly after the U.S. entry into World War II, which sparked a domestic decline in available agricultural workforce.
The Bracero Program lasted until 1946 and was considered a remarkable success in supplying food to the American people throughout World War II. The program continued in various forms until 1964 when it was ended by both governments. Today, the Mid-Willamette Valley region of Oregon has one of the largest agricultural workforces in the country; led by over 40,000 hard-working farmworkers, some of whom migrate seasonally to other parts of the country when other crops are ready for harvest. Many, however, reside permanently in the area.
Farmworkers are vital to Oregon’s growth and economic success, and farmworkers continue today to leave their mark in our state, not just with their strong economic contributions, but with their rich and fruitful culture and active community participation.
Farmworker
According to Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), a farmworker is defined as a person working in connection with cultivating the soil, raising or harvesting any agriculture or aquaculture commodity. A farmworker may also work in connection with catching, netting, handling, planting, drying, packing, grading, storing, or preserving in its unmanufactured state any agriculture or aquaculture commodity. A farmworker may deliver to storage, market, or a carrier for transportation to market or to processing any agricultural or aquacultural commodity.
A farmworker can work in the forestation or reforestation of lands, including but not limited to the planting, transplanting, tubing precommercial thinning and thinning of trees and seedlings, the clearing, piling, and disposal of brush and slash and other related activities.
There are three categories within the definition of a farmworker. Each category represents a distinct population that may have needs that are unique to that population:
Permanent Farmworker
A permanent farmworker is defined as a farmworker whose primary source of income comes from agricultural labor and is compensated by a constant year-round salary or wage.
Seasonal Farmworker
A seasonal farmworker is defined as a farmworker who is employed in farm work at least 25 days per year. A seasonal farmworker earns at least $400 during a twelve-month period and is primarily employed in farm work on a seasonal basis without a constant year-round salary or wage.
Migrant Farmworker
A migrant farmworker is defined as a seasonal farmworker who performs farm work throughout the year, but whose work requires travel such that the worker is unable to return to his/her domicile (permanent place of residence) within the same day. The migrant farmworker establishes a temporary residence while performing farm work at one or more locations away from the place he/she calls home or home base. (this does not include day-haul farmworkers whose travels are limited to work areas within one day of their work locations.)
FHDC follows the definitional guidelines established by OHCS.
The Need For Affordable Housing
Marion and Polk County FHDC has over 500 families on its waiting lists for its apartments in Woodburn, Salem, and Independence.
The Johnson-Gardner’s analysis of the current farmworker population, based on the presently known demographic and enumeration studies available for Marion County and for Woodburn, in particular, indicates there are 19,277 farmworkers in Marion County. It is estimated that over 5,783 of these farmworkers reside in Woodburn and 3,918 are seasonal workers.
As of 2002, the market analysis estimates that there are 8,786 farmworker households residing within the City of Salem. Affordable housing projects in Salem are generally not available to farmworkers.
In Polk County, out of an estimated 4,794 farmworkers 3,313 are year-round farmworkers. FHDC is the only Community Development Corporation (CDC) in Marion and Polk County providing housing specifically for low-income farmworker families.
Did You Know…
- The average life expectancy for migrant farmworkers is 49 years, compared to 73 for the general U.S. population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- Oregon produces some 220 crops and livestock commodities -a greater variety than any state except Florida and California. The value of these crops and commodities totals more than four billion dollars each year.
- There are approximately 8 million farmworkers in the U.S. today, with Oregon agricultural industries and farms reliant upon up to 180,000 each year.
FHDC Residents
- There are at least 9 different languages spoken in FHDC’s housing communities.
- The median household income for FHDC residents is under$28,000 (a family of four)
- Recent research shows 14% of FHDC residents went hungry in 2016, and more than 50% were considered”food insecure.”
- Recent research shows 76% of FHDC residents don’t have health insurance and have limited access to health care providers.
I've delved extensively into agricultural history, especially in Oregon, focusing on the significant role of farmworkers in shaping the state's economy and culture. The Bracero Program, pivotal in the 1940s, brought a wave of Latino farmworkers to Oregon's Willamette Valley. This initiative was part of a larger agreement between the United States and Mexico to address the shortage of agricultural labor during World War II. The program's success in supplying food to the nation during the war became evident, leading to its continuation in varied forms until its closure in 1964.
Today, Oregon's Mid-Willamette Valley stands as a powerhouse in agriculture, boasting a workforce of over 40,000 farmworkers. Their contributions extend beyond economic realms, shaping Oregon's cultural landscape through active community involvement.
The diverse nature of farm work is evident in Oregon's definition of a farmworker, encompassing various tasks related to agriculture and aquaculture. This includes cultivating, harvesting, preserving, and transporting agricultural products. The classification of farmworkers into permanent, seasonal, and migrant categories reflects the nuances in their work patterns and needs.
Affordable housing remains a critical issue for farmworkers in Oregon, with lengthy waiting lists for apartments in areas like Woodburn, Salem, and Independence. Demographic studies indicate sizable farmworker populations in Marion and Polk counties, highlighting the need for accessible housing tailored to their income levels.
Shockingly, statistics reveal disparities in the quality of life between farmworkers and the general U.S. population. Factors such as lower life expectancy, limited access to health care, and food insecurity underscore the challenges faced by farmworker communities.
Oregon's agricultural significance is undeniable, producing a diverse range of over 220 crops and livestock commodities, rivaled by only a few states in the country. The value of these agricultural products exceeds billions annually, with the state heavily reliant on up to 180,000 farmworkers each year.
The realities within FHDC (Marion and Polk County's Community Development Corporation) housing communities further emphasize the pressing issues faced by farmworker families. Multiple languages spoken, low median household incomes, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access paint a concerning picture of the challenges these communities confront daily.
In summary, the historical significance of farmworkers in Oregon, their crucial role in sustaining the state's agricultural output, and the socio-economic challenges they encounter highlight the complexity and importance of supporting and understanding this vital workforce.
