Practices and Perspectives in Farm Labor Management: A Qualitative Study of Small-Scale Growers in Central Pennsylvania
Open Access
- Author:
- Schwartzberg, Audrey L.
- Graduate Program:
- Rural Sociology
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- November 05, 2010
- Committee Members:
- Cynthia Clare Hinrichs, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Dr Clare Hinrichs, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor - Keywords:
- qualitative research
small farms
farm labor - Abstract:
- Many fruit and vegetable farms in the Northeastern United States are characterized by their relatively small size and limited growing season. These features, as well as the labor-intensive nature of horticultural production, make the task of securing and retaining farm workers particularly challenging. Recent sociological literature does not sufficiently address how farmers recruit and manage hired workers to meet the distinctive labor needs on small-scale, seasonal farms. This study addresses this gap in the literature by investigating how small and mid-sized farm operators perceive and experience agricultural labor issues. It specifically explores the various labor management practices small-scale growers have developed to meet their labor needs and how their prior experiences have shaped these strategies. This study draws primarily on in-depth interviews conducted with fruit and vegetable growers on 15 central Pennsylvania farms. Applying an actor-oriented theoretical approach, a qualitative analysis of the interviews contributes to a better understanding of how previous experiences and current farm contexts shape these farmers’ perceptions of their labor management challenges and opportunities. This thesis presents findings about the diverse configurations of farm labor arranged and experienced by participant farmers; the comparative influence of key social actors on farmers’ labor management decisions; the range of practices farmers ultimately adopt to accomplish necessary farm tasks; and the ways in which farmers interact with workers in their particular employment situations. Findings indicate that participant growers adopt both formal and informal labor management styles as they respond to various social actors including family, hired workers, local community, and regulatory organizations. They also tend to exhibit more accepting or more resistant attitudes as they respond to particular challenges associated with their interactions with these actors. An analysis of these findings suggests that participant growers enact varying levels and kinds of flexibility, trust, and work ethic in response to various risk factors associated with farm labor management.