Immigration and migration policy propoal's impact beyond farm labor markets across the United States

Most agricultural workers in the United States are from Latin America. The National Agricultural Workers Survey suggests 69 [percent] of hired workers on U.S. farms are born in Mexico. More than half of these same farm workers indicated they do not have legal work authorization. Economists have long suggested immigrants who lack legal work authorization are over represented in agricultural employment because they are more willing to accept the pay and work conditions associated with farm work, than their legally authorized peers. Recent trends in the agricultural labor market, however, seem to suggest that the share of unauthorized hired farm workers may be decreasing. This trend is implicit in the rapid growth of the H-2A guest workers program, a federal program that allows agricultural employers to bring in foreign workers on a seasonal basis. Although in recent years the H-2A program has garnered considerable interest from policy makers, agricultural employers, and researchers, few quantitative studies examine how the program along with other immigration policies, impact farm labor markets across the U.S. This paper presents preliminary findings from a quantitative model estimating farm labor supply elasticities across the continental United States. The following immigration related policy proposals are controlled for within this model: raising of the AEWR (the adverse effect wage rate paid to H-2A workers); restructuration or discontinuation of the H-2A guest workers program; amnesty for currently unauthorized workers; and disruption of immigration and migration flows from increased immigration control and/or security along the U.S.-Mexico border). This model was developed to inform rural community leaders, agribusiness stakeholders, and public policy makers regarding the potential effects of the H-2A program and other immigration control policies on farm labor management.Includes bibliographical reference

Narratives of Latinas in the Midwest higher education in the Midwest education

The Pew Research Center noted there are 30.1 million Hispanic adults in the United States and 14.4 million of them -- or 48 [percent] -- are women. According to recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates among immigrant Hispanic women, 57 [percent] have arrived since 1990, and from those, six-in-ten Hispanic women immigrants were born in Mexico. This paper presents narratives from four professors who currently hold adjunct and tenured positions in higher education institutions in the Midwest of the United States and who shared their experiences during the Cambio de Colores conference.Includes bibliographical reference

Lessons from consumer boycotts led by farmworkers : a strategy to address harsh working conditions and low wage rates

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) is leading consumer boycott efforts against food corporations that buy specialty crops from growers allegedly hiring farmworkers under harsh working conditions and low wage rates. The CIW ends its boycott efforts when food corporations agree to establish a supplier code of conduct and pay a monetary supplement to farmworkers. Crop buyers pay an extra cent per pound to go directly to farmworkers as wage supplement. Food products from participating companies are branded as Fair Food. The program is an example of private efforts to improve welfare of farmworkers in specialty crops. Economic research on this program is limited, but enlightening. This article summarizes farmworker issues leading to the consumer boycott strategy used to make gains amongst farmworkers and research on the strategy

Relevant Invasive Species for the Agricultural Sector in Puerto Rico: Identification of the Probable Economic Impact

The Agricultural Sector in Puerto Rico from 1998 to 2002 reported an annual mean Gross Agricultural Income (GAI) at farm level of $718.9 million. During this six-year period the livestock and crop commodities generated a mean gross income of$390.1 and $231.0 million, respectively. Dairy production was the most important commodity; it generated an annual mean gross income of$193.7 million, 26.9% of the total GAI. The principal crops and their mean gross income in millions were: plantain, $48.6; coffee,$38.4; ornamentals, $33.5; bananas,$13.3; and mango, $12.8. Besides their economic contribution, coffee, plantain, and bananas have a social and environmental importance because the production areas are located mostly in the central mountain region in Puerto Rico. The agricultural sector is the major source of income and employment in the central mountain area. In this area rise the rivers and lakes utilized as water sources for human and agricultural consumption. The established invasive species, or the ones with establishment potential, that could impact economically the principal agricultural commodities were identified. The invasive species at a pre-entry level identified for the crop commodities are coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei); black sigatoka for plantain and banana (Mycosphaerella fijiensis); and the mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae). The established invasive species identified for dairy production are the Johnei Disease causal agent (Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis) and the parasite tick (Boophilus microplus). This study will emphasize the crop invasive species. The economic impact of the invasive species on the agricultural sector was classified as direct impact to the commodity, the market, and the trade; as indirect impact on the environment, health, and other economic sectors

Consumer Boycotts and Farm Labor Welfare: A Multi-Level Market Analysis

The paper addresses the economics of recent boycott strategies and impacts of the agreements on labor and industry. A multi-level market model is used to address the linkage between Taco Bell, growers and labor. Analysis of the resulting segmentation of the labor market is also included

Consumer Boycotts and Farm Labor Welfare: A Multi-Level Market Analysis

The paper addresses the economics of recent boycott strategies and impacts of the agreements on labor and industry. A multi-level market model is used to address the linkage between Taco Bell, growers and labor. Analysis of the resulting segmentation of the labor market is also included.Labor and Human Capital,