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Farmworkers are contributing community members who help put food on America's tables. Without the farmworker, Florida's multi-billion dollar agricultural industry could not exist as it does today. Farmworkers are an excellent example of the work ethic that made this country great.
WHO ARE FLORIDA'S FARMWORKERS?
Farmworkers. A Photo Documentary
There are approximately 300,000 farmworkers in Florida at the height of the agriculture season. The majority of farmworkers in Florida are Hispanic (87%), male, average 32 years of age, and have completed six years of schooling.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "FARMWORKER"?
Full time workers on farms - your neighbors who work full time year round in agriculture and generally for only one employer. Seasonal farmworkers - people in your community who work during planting and harvesting season in fields, groves, and packing houses. Migrant farmworkers - workers who move from place to place to plant and harvest crops.
WHAT DO THEY DO AND WHEN DO THEY DO IT?
Agricultural labor is cultivation, hand harvesting, or preparing seasonal crops for market or storage. Crops in Florida include oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, radishes, peppers, squash, potatoes, watermelon, and may others available in your stores and on the salad bars. The weather is the biggest factor in when farmworkers pick or plant crops, and how much they earn. The major growing season in Florida starts in October and ends in June. Florida is considered the agricultural labor supply state on the Eastern Seaboard. Migrant farmworkers who travel to other states to pick crops such as onions in Georgia, tobacco in North Carolina, tomatoes in Virginia, apples in Michigan and cucumbers in Ohio.
HOW IMPORTANT IS FLORIDA'S AGRICULTURE TO OUR ECONOMY?
Florida is the nations' ninth leading agricultural state and leads the nation in the production of the 19 major agricultural commodities. Agriculture in Florida is the second largest industry, after tourism.
NEEDS OF FARMWORKERS
Stable, year round employment. Affordable, decent housing. Quality childcare services. Quality education meeting the unique needs of farmworker children. After school care with homework help. Improved access to medical care.
HOW CAN I HELP?
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON FARMWORKER AFFAIRS AT 850-487-4386
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