One of major challenges to farming in California today is the shortage of labor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a variety of reasons for this reality, including the reality that unlike in the past agriculture is no longer the only entry level job opportunity for immigrants from Mexico and elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction, trucking, foodservice and even retail today offer entry-level job opportunities for immigrants who don\u2019t want to work as farm laborers or in related agribusiness jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, few second and third generation immigrants want to work in farm labor today. Instead they\u2019re attending colleges and universities or skilled trade schools and moving into professional careers. It\u2019s called the American dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The farm labor shortage makes it increasingly important for farmers and other employers in agriculture to pay better attention to existing employees in order to retain them. It also requires a more formal focus on human resource management, including creating a workplace where farmworkers want to be. Farm operators and operations that treat employees well not only will avoid labor shortages, they\u2019ll also draw the most productive workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With this new reality in mind, a new study by the UC Merced Community and Labor Center offers important information for farmers wanting to create a better workplace and improve labor conditions on the farm for both humane and productivity reasons. And based on the results of the study, a survey of 1,200 farmworkers in California, there\u2019s plenty of progress to be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UC Merced Farmworker Health Study released in February shows farmworkers across California are facing serious health challenges on a daily basis, according to the researchers, who set out to examine agricultural worker health and well-being, in addition to health care access, local and state policies, and health and training needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n