Key Facts About Farmworkers

Agriculture is the Mid-Willamette Valley’s major industry. Agriculture in the Valley could not continue without the work of estimated 25,000 to 35,000 farmworkers and family members who live in or migrate to the area. Farmworkers account for approximately $90 million of the agricultural harvest in Marion County alone.
Large numbers 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 took many men and women out of the fields and involved them in the War effort. 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.
Despite their huge contribution to the welfare of Oregonians and to the State’s tax base, farmworkers remain among the lowest paid and most exploited laborers in Oregon. Few of our residents earn much over the state’s minimum wage.
Virtually all of the farmworker families were homeless or ill-housed before moving into FHDC-managed housing. Available housing for farmworkers is often substandard, overcrowded, unsafe, and poorly located. Many farmworkers go to bed hungry because they cannot afford the food they sow and reap.
Ninety-nine percent of our adult residents are Latino immigrants, coming originally from Mexico or Central America. Most farmworkers come from small rural communities and many speak one of many indigenous languages. Most were able to attend school for no more than six years. Many are only marginally literate which leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.
In their respective workplaces, they do not have legal protections against arbitrary or retaliatory discharge; many have faced sexual harassment and, for a few, violence or the threat of violence. Often they are discharged when employers learn they are applying for housing at FHDC.
Almost none of our residents have health insurance.
The inability to access affordable health care, combined with unsafe or difficult working conditions, often expose them and their families to serious health problems and pose a potential public health threat. Many attend a doctor or go to the hospital only when there is a serious medical emergency.
Few of our incoming residents feel they are adequately equipped to effectively advocate for their children in the public school system.
None has ever previously participated in the management of their housing.
Because of poverty, lack of education, lack of English (or Spanish) skills, and prejudice they are disadvantaged in legal and economic transactions and are frequently exploited by unscrupulous creditors.
They have difficulty interpreting contracts, applying for credit, capitalizing a small business, saving funds to meet goals, and preparing for citizenship.
They face substantial barriers in accessing the tools to learn 21st century skills that might enable them to find better work that will lift them out of poverty and diminish their need for affordable housing.
Discrimination, language problems, and location of housing outside the urban growth boundaries may keep their children from attending or successfully integrating into their school communities.
A high percentage of Latino children drop out before completing school, repeating the cycle of poverty.