Environmental Justice and Farm Labor

Based on foundational and current literature in environmental justice, this book provides key insights about laborers in agriculture in the United States. It addresses three main topics: the justice-related issues facing farmers and laborers on farms; how international and national trade policy has most impacted the workforce in American agriculture; and the opportunities and leverage points for change in improving justice outcomes in agriculture.

The book provides a thorough exploration of the justice-related issues facing workers, including pesticide-related illness, substandard housing, low wages and wage theft, harassment, physically demanding labor, and lack of adequate benefits. In addition, it assesses the impacts of immigration and international policy on laborers in the US agricultural system as well as the unique issues impacting seasonal and migrant workers. Two detailed case studies, one based in conventional agriculture in Florida and the other in organic agriculture in the Northeast region of the United States, highlight the interrelated but unique challenges facing those who labor in the different sectors of this complex agricultural system.

Finally, drawing from environmental justice and asset-based community development, the author explores the role of grassroots activism in improving justice outcomes, highlighting organizations operating at multiple scales to contribute to the livelihood of farmers and laborers in the different areas of agriculture.