Exploring Undercounts in the Agriculture Census: An Alternative Enumeration of Hispanic Farmers in Southwestern Michigan

Abstract

This study proposed an alternative enumeration similar to the one the US Census Bureau implemented in the 1990 decennial census in selected sites. The objectives of this census project were two-fold: one to explore undercounts in minority populations, and two, to discover the reasons behind them. Drawing on this project, we designed a Hispanic Farmer Alternative Enumeration pilot to examine Hispanic undercounts in the agricultural census in four adjacent counties in southwestern Michigan. In our alternative enumeration, we proposed comparing our Hispanic farmer count with the results of the Agricultural Census 2002. USDA-NASS, it was expected, would facilitate the comparison by providing us access to individual agricultural census records.A Hispanic farmer alternative enumeration, as outlined in our original proposal, was impossible because we were unable to obtain the needed collaboration of USDA agencies. A number of concerns, among them, confidentiality, did not allow it. However, we revised our plan and explored Hispanic undercounts on the agricultural census and the reasons behind them. Using a standardized interview guide, followed up with informal interviews, we sought information on whether the interviewees participated in Agricultural Census 2002 and the reasons for not participating. The questionnaire also allowed us to gather information on ownership, acreage and usage, and other farming information.This report addresses our major findings and provides suggestions for improving Hispanic participation in Agricultural Census 2007. It is divided into five basic parts: research problem, methods, findings, recommendations, and conclusions.Research ProblemSpecifically, in both our original and revised plan, we wanted to assess barriers to agricultural census enumeration that we observed in a previous research project, Farmworker Transition to Farm Ownership: Lessons from Mexican-Origin Farmers in Southwestern Michigan, funded by USDA. The barriers are as follows:* Missing Hispanic Farmers from USDA Mailing Lists: The majority of the recent Mexican immigrant farmers were not on the mailing list of cooperative extension or Farmer Service Agency (FSA) mailing lists-lists that USDA uses to identify farmers and develop mailing lists for the agricultural census.* Limited or No Knowledge of Agricultural Censuses: Many of the immigrant farmers, particularly newcomers to farming, are not familiar with agricultural censuses.* Language and Illiteracy Problems: Many of the immigrants are monolingual Spanish speakers who generally do not comprehend the English language. They also have limited or no formal education in their native language and, as a result, may be unable to read and write in Spanish.* Apprehension about USDA: Some immigrant farmers prefer not to deal with USDA, fearing that irregularities on the farm will be discovered.* Immigration Status: Recently, as a result of the public backlash against immigrants and the call for excluding from federally-funded programs, some immigrant farmers are under the misconception that they are not to participate in the agricultural census, a federal government undertaking.* Presta Nombres: Another possible barrier is presta nombres (lending one's name). In this practice, family members with good credit obtain loans on the behalf of kinsmen who do not.* Informal Farming Arrangements: Similarly informal farming arrangements among immigrant farmers may be another obstacle. In these arrangements, one or two individuals appear as the sole owners; when in fact, there are others, usually kin, who are also farming on the property.* Farmers as Farmworkers: We have uncovered cases where producers, who are also farm laborers, consider themselves farmworkers because a significant portion of their income is derived from farm work.MethodsResearch SitesWe carried out our pilot project in southwest Michigan. …