Approximately two million men, women, and children labor in our fields, orchards, nurseries, feedlots and dairies, and are essential to our $200+ billion agricultural industry. But farm workers are often treated as commodities, like machines in the field.
The U.S. agricultural system has always depended on the oppression of predominantly foreign born peoples for cheap labor. Today, an estimated 70 percent of hired farm workers are undocumented immigrants. From slavery to the abusive Bracero program launched during WW II and its vestiges today in the guestworker program, farm work is too often a story of exploitation.
With courage, grace and perseverance, farm workers are striving to turn this system around and are organizing to demand the dignity they deserve. We invite you to hear from see how much you know, hear from farm workers themselves, gain a more in-depth understanding of the issues they face, and meet our farm worker partners.
(Our gratitude to Damon Williams, Summer 2018 Duke Divinity School intern, for his invaluable help with the Farm Worker section.)