More than 3 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers are estimated to harvest food in the United States. Farmworkers help provide the majority of the food people in America consume, harvesting produce, maintaining dairies, and working in the meat industry. Farmworkers make a substantially lower wage than non-farmworkers and work in some of the most horrific conditions across all industries. Farmworkers face harassment, abuse, chemical exposure, unjust working conditions, and wage theft at unprecedented levels.
While advocates and organizers work to ensure that farmworkers that have been negatively impacted by their occupation are heard, they are also fighting legislation that is being put forth to further limit their rights and safety.
In late May 2019, 20 farmworkers harvesting hops near Parma, Idaho, were suspected to have been sprayed by pesticide from a crop duster.
Farmworkers recounted smelling the harsh chemicals that were dropped on top of them. The physical and mental ailments soon followed, sending many in the group to the nearest hospital in Treasure Valley for suspected pesticide exposure. Farmworkers detailed symptoms of excruciating headaches, coughing up blood, dizziness, and blurred vision.
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