Rural Migrant Farmworker Demographics: Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation

Abstract

Migrant populations have significant barriers for vocational rehabilitation (VR). Over one-quarter (26%) of farmworkers in the United States are migrant workers. Migrant farmwork often involves exposure to enhanced occupational hazards. Language barriers among farmworkers add additional challenges to vocational rehabilitation, as 77% of U.S. farmworkers identify Spanish as their primary language. Educational attainment is also a factor in vocational development for farmworkers, as the average level of education among farmworkers is eighth grade. Most migrant farmworkers are separated from all nuclear family members. A migratory lifestyle, isolated social conditions, lack of education, language differences, and fear of arrest or deportation establish barriers for VR service. In light of these unique barriers, the first step in improving VR outreach is to determine the geography of migrant work. This study utilizes data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America to identify states and counties with the highest rates of Mexican-born residents and highest rates of non-English speakers, discussing that data in the context of unemployment and poverty rates. A State Average Score was developed to arrange states by multiple factors that may indicate the presence of migrant communities. These multiple factors include counties with the highest non-English speaking rates, counties with the highest Mexican-born rates, counties with the highest poverty rates, and counties with the highest unemployment rates. The convergence of these data points within a single county may indicate the presence of migrant communities. Examples of outreach to migrant farmworkers are also presented.