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For California farmworkers, future holds little prospect for change
Authors
J. Edward TaylorPhilip L. Martin
Authors Affiliations
J. E. Taylor is Professor, Resource Economics, UC Davis; P.L. Martin is Professor Department of Agricultural, UC Davis.Publication Information
Hilgardia 54(1):19-25. DOI:10.3733/ca.v054n01p19. January 2000.
PDF of full article, Cite this article
Abstract
Agriculture is a major employer in California. Some 800,000 to 900,000 people work for wages at some time during a typical year on California farms. Only about half of those work year-round so that farmworkers represent just 3% of California's average 14 million wage and salary workers. Most farmworkers in California are seasonally employed on one farm for less than 6 months each year, and earn a quarter of the average factory worker's annual salary. The vast majority are Hispanic immigrants. During the next quarter century, these trends are likely to continue, with the farm labor market becoming increasingly isolated from the mainstream. An alternative scenario is that strong unions and government regulations could transform farm work into an occupation that can provide a career and support a family. Immigration policy will play a critical role in determining the characteristics of California farmworkers in the 21st century.
References
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Also in this issue:
Simulated crop-water production functions for several crops when irrigated with saline watersPopulation change to challenge Californians
Q&A: Hard choices ahead for growing world
Women, minority farmers are growing in California
Grandparents become primary parents
“Tidal Wave II” to hit higher education
Past, present and future: Immigration, high fertility fuel state's population growth
The new rural poverty: Central Valley evolving into patchwork of poverty and prosperity
The new rural California: Farmworkers putting down roots in Central Valley communities
Welfare reform shines a light on work-force development challenges
How will the Central Valley economy grow?
‘Third’ institution needed to bridge family-school gap for youth
ANR responds to Hispanic teenage pregnancy
Elderly population will increase dramatically
UC must take lead in curricula reform, teacher training