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Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze; Iowa town halls find 'empty chairs'; California groups bring generations together to work on society's biggest problems; and Pennsylvania works to counter Trump clean energy rollbacks.

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Lawmakers from both parties face angry constituents. Some decide to skip town halls rather than address concerned voters and Kentucky considers mandatory Medicaid work requirements.

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Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

Nonprofit looks to improve conditions for Eastern Shore ag workers

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Monday, August 26, 2024   

A nonprofit is looking to improve the living and working conditions of migrant farm workers in Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Every year, hundreds of people come to the region - often from Mexico - to help harvest tomatoes, potatoes, and other produce. Wages can be good, but life in worker camps is isolating.

Local advocate Stacy Rhodes helps newcomers feel welcome in the community - by providing things like toiletries, t-shirts, and socks.

"They work in mud and in pretty difficult terrain, so they need to be able to clean and change their shoes," said Rhodes. "So providing welcome kits and trying to meet some of their basic clothing needs that they haven't been able to bring is a major activity."

The U.S. Department of Labor strengthened their protections for farmworkers earlier this summer - specifically trying to prevent food companies from exploiting migrant workers.

But Rhodes said more improvements could still be made - like providing better internet access, and air conditioning, and offering reliable transportation to and from towns, banks, and appointments.

Rhodes is a former USAID service officer, and member of the Agricultural Workers Advocacy Coalition - which helps fill in gaps where needs persist.

Another issue is that laborers often face food insecurity during stretches when there isn't work to do and people can't make money. That can happen during bad weather or a weak harvest.

"The workers do not save the pay that they receive," said Rhodes. "They send it home immediately, except for their immediate expenses. So they do not have reserves. And there have been times when the workers here, because of a lack of work, have really undergone food shortages in the camps."

Rhodes said minimum wages and food allowance guarantees could solve this issue.

Last year, the U.S. government issued more than 300,000 visas for migrant ag producers around the world.

This latest federal rule is one of several from the Biden Administration trying to give these workers more flexibility and labor rights.




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