Farmworkers

Farm workers, or agriculture workers, include any person employed full-time, part-time, or seasonally in agriculture work. Farm workers may also include family members or migrant laborers. Agriculture workers are a group protected under Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Worker Protection Standards (WPS).  Farm workers should become familiar with these regulations so they can work with their employer to promote the safety and well-being of the whole farm and all persons connected with it.

Migrant Health Center Map

The NC State Extension Farmworker Health and Safety Education Program has developed a series of introductory videos in Spanish focusing on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and farmworkers. They were developed as a resource for farmers, farm labor contractors and farmworkers to learn about the novel coronavirus and to promote preventative behavior within the overall farming community. The videos are in Spanish and use very simple and direct language to help everyone in our farm community understand the coronavirus pandemic. Each video addresses a specific topic:

Part 1 of 3 – ¿Qué es el coronavirus y los síntomas? / What is coronavirus and it’s symptoms?

Part 2 of 3 – ¿Cómo se transmite el coronavirus? / How does coronavirus spread?

Part 3 of 3 –  Trabajadores del campo y el coronavirus / Farmworkers and COVID-19

Download Video Guide for Employers of Farmworkers (PDF)

We strongly recommend watching the three videos consecutively as their content builds and complements each other. In addition, we recommend that you consider the following options when watching the videos: Promote each farmworker to watch the video on their personal smartphone and provide discussion and Q&A time to be sure the message was understood. Set up a space at the farm for the workers to watch the videos in small groups (maintaining social distance regulations) and promote discussion and Q&A time to be sure the message was understood. The Extension farmworkers program staff is available to help facilitate virtual small groups (keeping social distance regulations) discussion and Q&A time. Contact Roberto Rosales, Extension farmworker health and safety educator, with any questions.

Enhancing the Farm Working Community

N.C. Cooperative Extension is providing educational resources to keep you and your workers healthy and safe on the farm. An educator will provide a 90-minute training session that will engage your workers in hands-on exercises that will help workers retain information and change behavior in workers in order to stay safe and healthy.

Roberto Rosales
Farm Worker Health and Safety Educator
Wilson County Center
rmrosale@ncsu.edu

Roberto serves several counties. For the fastest response, send him an email or call/text is cellphone at 252-883-5721.