| Farmworker Information Center |
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| Introduction |
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Farming and farmworkers play a vital role in the economic well being of Oregon. The value of Oregon’s 2003 agriculture production totaled nearly $3.8 billion and produced 220 commodities.
Oregon’s Top Ten Commodities
2003
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Commodity
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Sales
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Greenhouse and Nursery
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$779 Million |
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Cattle and Calves
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$430 Million |
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Hay
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$318 Million |
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Grass Seed
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$292 Million |
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Dairy
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$272 Million |
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Wheat
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$198 Million |
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Christmas Trees
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$158 Million |
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Potatoes
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$113 Million |
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Onions
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$85 Million |
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Pears
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$65 Million |
This portion of the OHCS web site is intended to provide information regarding the number of farmworkers in Oregon, the existing housing and social services available to farmworkers in Oregon, links to resources for farmworkers and their families, and links to other information about farmworkers.
OHCS Statement on Farmworkers In Oregon
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| OHCS Definition of Farmworker |
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Farm Work
Farm work is defined as work in connection with cultivating the soil, raising or harvesting any agriculture commodity or aquaculture commodity. It is also work in connection with catching, netting, handling, planting, drying, packing, grading, storing, or preserving in its unmanufactured state any agriculture or aquaculture commodity. It is also delivering to storage, market, or a carrier for transportation to market or to processing any agricultural or aquacultural commodity. Farm work can be in the forestation or reforestation of lands, including but not limited to the planting, transplanting, tubing, precommercial thinning and thinning of trees and seedlings, the clearing, piling and disposal of brush and slash and other related activities.
Farmworker
A farmworker is defined as a person working in connection with cultivating the soil, raising or harvesting any agriculture or aquaculture commodity. A farmworker may also work in connection with catching, netting, handling, planting, drying, packing, grading, storing, or preserving in its unmanufactured state any agriculture or aquaculture commodity. A farmworker may deliver to storage, market, or a carrier for transportation to market or to processing any agricultural or aquacultural commodity. Also, a farmworker can work in the forestation or reforestation of lands, including but not limited to the planting, transplanting, tubing precommerical thinning and thinning of trees and seedlings, the clearing, piling and disposal of brush and slash and other related activities.
There are three categories within the definition of farmworker. Each of these categories represents a distinct population who may have needs that are unique to their population:
Permanent Farmworker
A permanent farmworker is defined as a farmworker whose primary source of income comes from farm work and is compensated by a constant year round salary or wage.
Seasonal Farmworker
A seasonal farmworker is defined as a farmworker who was employed in farm work at least 25 days and earned at least $400 during a twelve month period and who has been primarily employed in farm work on a seasonal basis without a constant year round salary or wage.
Migrant Farmworker
A migrant farmworker is defined as a seasonal farmworker who performs farm work during the past twelve months which requires travel
such that the worker is unable to return to his/her domicile (permanent place of residence) within the same day and who establish a temporary residence while performing farm work at one or more locations away from the place he/she calls home or home base. (this does not include day-haul farmworkers whose travels are limited to work areas within one day of their work locations.)
Note: Certain programs at OHCS may have more limiting definitions of a farmworker than that above, such as a requirement of being a citizen or legal permanent resident, or excluding aquaculture work.
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| Estimates of Farmworkers in OR |
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Estimates on the number of farmworkers working in Oregon vary according to the source. Research indicates that many farmworkers work part of the year for low wages and are under-served by social services.*
The Oregon Employment Department’s (OED) Covered Employment and Wages represent farmworkers covered by unemployment insurance. The majority of farms in Oregon (82 percent/32,000 farms**) are too small to be covered by unemployment insurance***. Although these smaller farms employ approximately 25 percent of all farm jobs, it is difficult to estimate the number of jobs due to differences in commodity and employment practices. For the most complete and accurate assessment of farmworkers in Oregon, more than one tool of measurement must be utilized. A compilation of sources indicates a heavy use of seasonal employment of farmworkers throughout the state.
OED
OED records show that Oregon farms employ an average of 46,000 covered agricultural workers annually. These figures change throughout the year reflecting planting and harvesting times for various crops in differing locations. The non-planting, non-harvesting months such as January indicate a drop in agricultural positions to 33,000 employees. The planting and harvesting months such as June show a sharp increase—doubling the employment figures. The difference in employment among the seasons highlights the usage of seasonal employment and suggests that Oregon farms employ approximately 30,000 permanent farm workers throughout the year.
USDA Census
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts a census of farms and farmworkers every five years. This census provides a count of hired farm labor by farm size and days worked. It also reports the number of farms that report using migrant farm labor. According to the latest USDA census, there were 122,845 hired farmworkers in Oregon in 2002, 27,339 of which were permanent. This figure supports the Oregon Covered Employment estimates for permanent farmworkers, but indicates a much larger use of seasonal farm labor. Although the USDA figure does not account for the possibility of duplicate counting (a farmer who may work for more than one farm), it does not include any custom or contract work or food processors, all of which are included in OHCS definition of farmworker.
Enumeration Study
A third source of information supports both the covered employment and the USDA figures. The Alice Larson Enumeration Study also conducted in 2002 uses different methodology, and does account for the possibility of duplication and "underemployment".****
The Larson study findings were extremely supportive of the USDA count for seasonal farmworkers. The USDA census counted 95,506 seasonal farmworkers. The Larson Enumeration study estimated 94,648 seasonal farmworkers (this number rises to 103,453 when food processing workers are included).
| Using all available sources, it is a reliable estimate that Oregon farms employ approximately 123,000 agricultural employees annually, of which 95,000 are seasonal (77 percent). |
Oregon Agricultural Labor Force Compared to Neighboring States
(View Chart .pdf file. View source Web site )
2001-2004 OED figures for Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting:
(View Chart .pdf file. View source Web site )
U.S. Department of Agriculture Oregon Census
(View Chart .pdf file. View source Web site )
Alice Larson Enumeration Study (.pdf)
Composition of estimates: US Census, US Dept of Ag. Census, OED, and Larson Study (.pdf)
Regional Estimates of farmworkers from the Oregon Labor Market Information System (OLMIS) indicate which Oregon counties are the large agriculture producers for the state. The following chart indicates the Marion/Polk/Yamhill region, the Multnomah/Washington region and the Clackamas region are the biggest agriculture employers of farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery and greenhouse. (The Portland PMSA and Salem MSA are also listed as top agriculture producers, these areas include the counties listed above.)
Regional OED Estimates for Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
(View Chart .pdf. View source Web site)
Growing Regions
Migrant Workers
Migrant workers are especially difficult to locate due to their mobility, temporary employment, and housing, and language and cultural barriers. These same factors contribute to their vulnerability to inadequate living conditions. The lack of permanent employment makes it difficult for this population to locate and afford adequate housing, access to health care, and support family members.
The USDA census does not count the number of migrant workers but does report that in 2002 over 1800 Oregon farms reported using migrant labor. The Alice Larson Enumeration Study estimates 35,670 migrant workers (not including food processors) in Oregon annually with 12,545 migrant children and youth. If food processors are included in the definition of farm worker, this number rises to 39,900 migrant workers with 14,232 children and youth.
A resource that highlights the presence of migrant workers in various Oregon counties is the Department of Education Migrant Education Program. The definition of migrant for this organization is any family who has been forced to relocate for agricultural work within a three-year period.
The Oregon Migrant Education Program enrolled 30,710 migrant students ages 3 to 21 years in the year 2002–2003. Enrollment has been over 29,000 children since the 1999–2000 school year, with an average enrollment of 29,966 from 1999–2003.
Although enrollment into the Migrant Education Program represents a duplicated count, it is an important tool for understanding migrant populations regionally. The Willamette Extended School District (Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Polk Counties) reported the highest number of enrollees with 4,445 in the 2002–2003 school year. The Salem-Keizer School District, Portland School District, Hillsboro School District, and Woodburn School District round out the top five migrant enrollment communities.
For more information on this program, please click here.
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| Wages |
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Wages received by farmworkers vary according to the employer and type of commodity produced. Oregon law requires minimum wage for farmworkers, although they can also receive a "piece rate" or set fee per volume of harvest. As of February 1 of 2004 farmworkers were also granted two paid 10-minute paid breaks and one unpaid 30-minute lunch break after 4 hours of continual labor.
Oregon Covered Employment reports that workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry earned average wages of $23,28. Forestry and logging workers earned the highest average pay of $37,110, while crop production workers earned the lowest wages at $19,417.
Those not covered by employment insurance, hired for a set fee, custom, or contract work are not represented in the Oregon Employment Covered wages. In 1997-1998, the National Agricultural Workers Study (NAWS) found that the national median annual income of a single farmworker was $7500 and between $10,000 and $14,000 for families.
Oregon Agriculture Industry, Employment by Category, Pay Roll and Average Pay
(View Chart .pdf. View source Web site)
2002 Regional Wages for Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse
(View Chart .pdf. View source Web site)
National Agriculture Workers Survey (,pdf)
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| Farmworker Housing |
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State Policy
"In that the agricultural workers in this state benefit the social and economic welfare of all of the people in Oregon by their unceasing efforts to bring a bountiful crop to market, the Legislative Assembly declares that it is the policy of this state to insure adequate agricultural labor accommodations commensurate with the housing needs of Oregon’s workers that meet decent health, safety and welfare standards." (ORS 197.677)
Statewide OR-OSHA Farm Labor Housing
| OR-OSHA Housing Stock |
2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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| Camps |
305
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342
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359
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356
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| Occupants |
11,661
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12,581
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13,267
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11,916
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Source: Agricultural Labor Housing (ALH) Information
2004 State And County Chart of Agricultural Labor Housing (ALH) (.pdf)
Agriculture Labor Housing (ALH) Registry Database
Modular Housing Works for Oregon Growers & Communities
Through the Migrant Housing Program, OHCS partners with the Oregon Department of Corrections to offer growers throughout Oregon an effective housing solution that allows inmates to use skills they have learned in the Construction Trades Program at the Snake River Correctional Institution: Modular homes.
The OHCS Farmworker Housing Tax Credit program has limited tax credits available each year to assist buyers who are able to meet all the program requirements. Farmworker Housing Tax Credits can be used to provide new or rehabilitated farmworker housing for the current or upcoming agricultural season.
More Details on the Farmworker Housing Tax Credit Program
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| Farmworker Finance Information |
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Farmworker Housing Development and Finance Manual (.pdf 4.5 Mb) - A guide to practical information on resources, practices and models for a variety of farmworker housing types.
CASA of Oregon
HUD Oregon Farmworker Practitioners
USDA Rural Development
OHCS Funding Opportunities
OHCS Farmworker Housing Development Account
OHCS Farmworker Housing Tax Credit Program
Migrant Million Program
The 1999 Oregon Legislative Assembly allocated $1 million through SB 5511 to the Emergency Board "for migrant housing" charging Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) with administering this "Migrant Million."
The funds were made available through a Request For Proposal (RFP) process, in either grant or loan form, for entities developing or rehabilitating affordable housing designed specifically to serve a migrant farmworker population. Housing could be on- or off-farm, mobile or fixed, and for entirely migrant workers or for a mix of temporary and permanent residents. The project also had to:
- Continue to house migrant agricultural laborer populations for at least 10 years;
- Have rents (including tenant paid utilities) less than or equal to 30 percent of the migrant worker´s gross monthly income;
- Maintain applicable building code, health and habitability standards; and
- Limit residency to a maximum of nine months by any tenant household.
Currently, there are no funds available for this program. OHCS administered all available funds within one year of receipt of the funding. This program generated thirteen projects and 301 farm worker housing units. To view a list of the recipients of Migrant Million funding, where the projects were located, the funding allocated, the number of units per project, etc. click here.
To talk with someone about developing affordable housing in your area, contact a Regional Advisor to the Director or call 503.986.2000.
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| Resources for Farmworkers |
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Contact Information/Contactos para infomaciones
Postal address/Domicilio Postal
Telepone/Telefono
Electronic mail/Correo Electrónico
Housing & Services
Farmworker Housing Development Corporation
1274 Fifth Street Suite 1-A
Woodburn, Oregon 97071
503.981.1618 (bilingual)
503.981.3662
Housing Development Corporation Of Northwest Oregon
220 SE 12th Ave, Suite #A-100
Hillsboro, OR 97123-4667
503.693.2937
Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation
312 Court Street, Suite 419
The Dalles, Oregon 97058
1.888.356.8919
Association of Oregon Housing Authorities
P.O. Box 489
Tualatin, OR 97062-0489
503.913.8468
Community Action Directors of Oregon
4035 12th Street Cutoff SE, Suite 110
Salem, Oregon 97302
503.316.3951
Oregon Helps
Education & Children
High School Equivalency Program
Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Building 16
Salem, OR 97309-7070
503.589.7725
Contact person: Manuel Guerra, Director
Department of Education Migrant Education Program
Willamette Education Service District
2611 Pringle Rd SE
Salem, OR 97302
503.385.4678
Home Instructional Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)
Oregon Child Development Coalition
PO Box 2780
9140 SW Pioneer Court, Suite E
Wilsonville, OR 97070
503.570.1110
Farmworker Youth Opportunity Program
You may call youth advocates at these local telephone numbers/ Llame a un representante del programa de sus área:
Condado de Washington llame:
Mercy Cuellar a 503.475.9236
Condados de North Marion o Clackamas llame:
Anna Muñoz a 503.475.3712
Mari Maravilla a 503.475.9238
Condados de Yamhill o Polk llame:
Antonio Torres a 503.475.3713
En Salem/Keizer llame:
Joe Bosquez / Mano a Mano a 503.363.1895
Oregon Future Farmers of America
Student Leadership Development Center
2611 Pringle Rd. SE
Salem, OR 97302
Amber Holveck - FFA Phone: 503.385.4664
or
Jenny Rowley - FFA Phone: 503.385.4715
Laura Roach - State Advisor Phone: 503.378.3600
Oregon Head Start Association
2705 E. Burnside St Ste 108
Portland Oregon 97214
Phone: 503.236.7355 or 866.236.7351
Open Adoption and Family Services
Oficinas por todo Oregon y Washington
Para Espanol 1.800.985.6763
For English 1.800.772.1115
Folleto de la adopción en español
Work
Oregon Employment Department
WorkSource Oregon
Oregon Human Development Corporation
9620 SW Barbur Blvd, Ste 110
Portland, OR 97219
503.245.2600
USDL Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA)
1.866.4.USA.DOL
Bureau of Labor and Industries. Spanish Wage Claims Document
800 NE Oregon St., Suite 1045
Portland 97232
503.731.4200
Health
DHS Migrant Health Office
800 NE Oregon Street, 9th Floor
Portland, Oregon 97232
503.731.4017 Ext. 899
Law
Oregon Law Help.Org
Legal Information for Low-Income Oregonians
Faith Based Organizations
Oregon Farm Worker Ministry
P.O. Box 30115, Portland, OR 97294
503.990.0611
Andrea Cano
E-mail
Caritas Community Housing Corporation (CCHC)
231 SE 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97214
503.231.4866
503.231.4327 Fax
E-mail
Centro de Apoyo
422 NW 9th Avenue, Canby, Oregon 97013
503.263.4944
503.266.3383 Fax
E-mail
El Programa Hispano
451 NW 1st, Gresham, Oregon 97030
503.669.8350
901 SE Oak St., Ste 106, Portland, Oregon 97214
503.236.9670
503.234.9074 Fax
E-mail
Immigration Legal Services
901 SE Oak St., Ste. 105
Portland, Oregon 97214
503.542.2855
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| For More Information |
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For more information regarding OHCS FWH Tax Credit Program, FWH Development Program or FWH Development Manual, please contact:
Heather Pate
503.986.2048
E-mail
References
* The National Agricultural Workers Study. United States Department of Agriculture. 1997-1998.
Farm Workers in Oregon. A Study of the League of Women Voters of Oregon Education Fund. Fall 2000. Fitting The Pieces Together: An Examination of Sources Related to Farmworker Housing. Housing Assistance Council, 1996.
** 1997 Department of Agriculture Census
*** Farms who employ less than 10 employees are not covered and therefore do not have to report their employees or hiring practices.
**** The practice of farms to employ more than one farmworker per one FTE position. This practice is common among farms with crops that have a short harvest season, such as berries.
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