In 1970 about a fourth of the country's farm workers were underage, working and living in conditions which are "sub-sub-substandard" in most parts of the country. These workers are often swindled or exploited by labor contractors or crew men. Since the work is seasonal, families are forced to travel great distances, under difficult circumstances,…

This two-part article reports an investigation by the National Committee on the Education of Migrant Children and its role in correcting illegal and exploitive practices of a school in Louisiana attended by migrant children. (DM)

Evidence suggests that living and labor conditions have improved very little among agricultural laborers and are particularly hopeless among migrants. Since the government, food producers, industry, and consumers are all beneficiaries of the present farm system, it is unlikely that farm workers will be able to unionize and control their own…

The number of farms in rural America continued to decline. In 1974, 23,420 farms went out of business. Farm subsidy payments, originally designed to assist small farmers, contributed little to the survival of the small farmer. The 1974 increased costs in fuel and fertilizer alone reduced net farm income by $5 billion--approximately a $2,500…

Discrepancies in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (one of America's largest industries) and its relationship to farmworkers and small farmers are discussed in this report. Statistics supporting this are: (1) although 60% of all substandard housing is in rural areas, less than 25% of all Federal housing has been allocated for these areas; (2)…

Little of the profits produced by American agriculture stays in rural America. During 1973, the farmer received less than 46 cents of every food dollar spent at the supermarket even though food prices continued to soar. Farm subsidy payments, originally designed to protect the small farmer's income, were diverted to corporate giants, large…

In 1970, many Americans are examining anew the costs of achieving efficiency in agriculture through bigness. The exodus of small farmers continues--more than 2.7 million farmers have abandoned farming or sold out to bigger competitors since 1950--while Government agricultural policy remains attuned to the interests of large farmers. All small…

Until recently, American farmworkers have been poor and unorganized. As a result, they have been powerless to protect themselves from different forms of discrimination and exploitation. The rights of farmworkers have been traded off by social reformers in State legislatures as well as the Congress. In the last few years, this has begun to change…

CALIFORNIA FARM LABOR PROBLEMS INCLUDE LIMITED WORK OPPORTUNITY, LOW EARNINGS, LITTLE ECONOMIC SECURITY, POOR HEALTH, HOUSING, AND EDUCATION, AND UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS. REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZED LABOR RECOMMEND ESTABLISHING A STATE MINIMUM WAGE LAW TO COVER ALL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AND ALSO EXTENDING FEDERAL STATUS TO…

This pamphlet on labor history highlights some of labor's economic and political actions during the past 200 years. The purpose is to provide inspiration and motivation for greater participation in union work. The introduction explains the purpose of unions--to pursue economic independence and social stature for all individuals--for defenseless…