CALIFORNIA – Philip Martin, Professor in the Agricultural Resource Economics Department at the University of California, Davis, has released a study of the fruit and vegetable sector’s effect on the economy, the farm worker community and how California’s agricultural job employment rates compare to the rest of the country. 

Martin used data gathered in the 2012 Census of Agriculture to conduct his research, which was recently published in the July/August issue of Update, the department’s semi-monthly newsletter.

According to his findings, Martin concluded that the average farm employment in California is growing faster than in the rest of the country. The information in the census revealed that 86% of farm labor expenses in California occurred in four categories, all of which are fruits and vegetables.

Based on these gains, he made the suggestion in his study that the category of farm employment will continue to garner higher media attention for a variety of factors.

The Times-Delta reports that Martin expects farm employment to stay in the news with reports of fewer workers coming from Mexico, drought-related cutbacks and the increase in minimum wage.  In that article, Don Curlee added that these factors, along with the noisy demonstrations orchestrated by union leaders have attracted media attention away from the positive benefits workers have received for their farmer/employers.

California Fresh Fruit Association President Barry Bedwell spoke to AndNowUKnow about Martin’s research and Curlee’s assertion.  He told us, “I concur with Dr. Martin’s observations and predictions that the farm labor sector will garner more attention in the future due to the issues mentioned. I also strongly agree with Don Curlee’s thoughts that many of the positive factors and benefits associated with farm labor in California have been overshadowed due to the misinformation disseminated by organized labor who continue to struggle to show value to farmworkers.”

Currently, the majority of California’s 464,000 farmworkers are hired by farmers who grow high-value fruits, vegetables and horticultural specialties, according to the Visalia Times-Delta.  These crops provide jobs and help contribute to California’s economy.

These results serve to further showcase the resourcefulness of our industry and the commitment of our farmers and growers to finding new avenues of growth in the face of whatever challenges the modern economy may bring.