National Farm Workers Day

National Farm Workers Day is a day to celebrate and be grateful for all the hard work that farmers do to keep fresh food coming. Vegetables, meat, herbs – the staples of your grocery bag all started out on a farm.

It’s sometimes hard for us to remember how lucky we are to have access to fresh produce, and we are somewhat disconnected from the roots – literally – of our food when we see it all packaged up in the supermarkets.

On National Farm Workers Day, we are reminded to thank farmers for making it all possible.

Farm workers are often on the farm from sunrise to sunset – so it’s no wonder that they have a day for them!

1868
First Federal Protections for Some Farm Laborers
The U.S. Congress creates the Bureau of Education for Freedmen, and later laws like the Southern Homestead Act open limited land and wage work to formerly enslaved people, many of whom become agricultural laborers under exploitative sharecropping and tenant systems.
1935–1938
Farm Workers Excluded from New Deal Labor Laws
The National Labor Relations Act (1935) and Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) establish minimum wage and collective bargaining rights for most workers, but agricultural laborers and domestic workers are deliberately excluded, leaving farm workers without basic federal protections.
1942
Bracero Program Brings Mexican Guest Workers
The United States and Mexico sign the Mexican Farm Labor Agreement on August 4, 1942, launching the Bracero Program that recruits millions of Mexican men to work mainly in U.S. agriculture under short-term contracts marked by low wages and frequent abuse.
1962
National Farm Workers Association Is Founded
On March 31, 1962, César Chávez and Dolores Huerta establish the National Farm Workers Association in California, creating a new organization dedicated to improving wages, housing, and working conditions for predominantly Latino farm workers.
1965–1970
Delano Grape Strike and National Boycott
Beginning September 8, 1965, Filipino grape workers in Delano, California, strike over wages; the NFWA soon joins, and the five‑year strike and nationwide consumer boycott pressure growers to sign union contracts covering tens of thousands of farm workers.
1966
Birth of the United Farm Workers Union
The National Farm Workers Association and the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee merge to form the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, later the United Farm Workers of America, becoming the best-known union representing U.S. farm laborers.
1975
California Recognizes Farm Workers’ Right to Organize
California passes the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the first U.S. law to explicitly grant farm workers the right to organize and bargain collectively, and to establish a state agency to oversee farm labor elections and unfair labor practice claims.

How to Celebrate National Farm Workers Day

Show Support for Local Farmers

Supporting farmers and farm workers is a great way to observe this day – you could choose to fundraise for some of the few farming charities or donate to them yourself.

Enjoy a Visit to a Working Farm

You could also make plans to visit a farm on this important day! Especially in the UK, many farms have a shop and sometimes a cafe attached to them where you can have a coffee and buy some fresh produce straight from the farm.

Other farms might invite visitors to a petting zoo on certain days, or even attending classes with animals, like goat yoga!

Enjoy a Farm-to-Table Restaurant

More of these types of eateries are popping up, sourcing their foods from local growers.

This not only supports local farmers in the community, but it also means less transportation which causes less of a harmful impact on the environment.

Pick Up Some Farm Fresh Foods

This is also a great day to drop by a local farmers market in support of local growers and farmers. Or stop by the local grocery store to grab some vegetables.

Be sure that you are mindful of the work that has gone into growing your food!

History of National Farm Workers Day

Farming and agriculture have been a huge part of keeping humanity thriving since we were intelligent enough to cultivate food. In fact, the act of farming has been traced back to way back in the Neolithic era.

As far as we know, the first society to actively engage in farming on a larger scale was the Sumerians, who had a labor force specializing in farming. They also constructed irrigation methods to grow their crops and had a strict harvesting pattern across the year.

Farm workers are those in the fields, picking crops and looking after animals. With the advances in technology, specifically in farming, in the last century or so farm workers have found their work becoming even more specialized.

When we talk about a farmworker, this can have quite a broad meaning. It could mean someone hired by a farm to take part in any activities on the farm, but it can also mean someone who is hired solely to be involved in the production – such as harvesting.

Working outside for long periods in all kinds of climates, and the bending and crouching needed for harvesting – not to mention the dangers of using farm machinery and being around some big and easily riled animals – can be very tough on farmworkers.

National Farm Workers Day is about thanking farmworkers for their hard work.

Facts About National Farm Workers Day

Invisible Hazards Make Farm Work One of the Deadliest Jobs in the U.S.

Agriculture consistently ranks among the most dangerous industries in the United States, with workers in farming, fishing, and forestry experiencing fatal injury rates more than six times higher than the average U.S. worker.

Common causes include tractor rollovers, vehicle crashes, entanglement in machinery, falls, and being struck by animals or equipment, alongside chronic exposure to dust, noise, and chemicals.

Repetitive Bending and Lifting Drive High Rates of Musculoskeletal Injury

Farm workers spend long hours bending, stooping, lifting heavy loads, and repeating the same motions, which leads to extremely high levels of musculoskeletal pain and injury.

Studies and health surveys show that strains and sprains account for roughly half of all lost‑time injuries among crop workers, with many reporting chronic back, knee, and shoulder problems that can persist long after the season ends.

Pesticide Exposure Can Leave Lasting Damage on Farm Workers’ Bodies

Because they mix, load, or work in recently treated fields, farm workers experience some of the highest rates of pesticide-related illness of any occupation.

Short‑term effects can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, cramping, and burning eyes or skin, while long‑term exposure has been linked in research to cancers, neurological conditions, reproductive problems, and mood disorders such as depression.

Heat Stress Is a Major Threat for Outdoor Agricultural Labor

Working outdoors for many hours in high temperatures, often with limited shade, rest breaks, or access to cool drinking water, puts farm workers at elevated risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Health agencies and researchers have documented that heat-related illness is a recurring problem in agricultural labor, where piece‑rate pay and fear of losing work can discourage workers from slowing down or taking needed breaks.

Millions of U.S. Farm Workers Face Barriers to Basic Healthcare

In the United States an estimated 2 to 3 million migrant and seasonal agricultural workers play a central role in food production, yet many live in poverty and lack regular access to medical care.

Government and nonprofit assessments highlight that farm workers are less likely to have health insurance, face language and transportation barriers, and often delay treatment for injuries or illness because of cost or fear of job loss.

Global Food Supply Still Depends Heavily on Human Labor

Despite advances in agricultural machinery, a large share of the world’s food is still produced and harvested by hand or with limited mechanization, particularly in fruits, vegetables, and labor‑intensive crops.

International labor statistics show that agriculture remains one of the largest employers worldwide, especially in low‑ and middle‑income countries, where farm workers’ labor underpins both local diets and export economies.

Farm Workers Often Live and Work in the Same Isolated Spaces

Many migrant and seasonal farm workers reside in employer‑provided camps or housing that is located on or near worksites, which can blur the line between home and workplace.

Rural health research has found that such housing is frequently in remote areas with limited transportation, social services, or legal support, contributing to social isolation and making it harder for workers to seek independent medical care or assistance when problems arise.

National Farm Workers Day FAQs

What kinds of health and safety risks do farm workers commonly face?

Farm workers often face a mix of physical, chemical, and environmental hazards.

Physically, they may perform repetitive bending, lifting, and carrying that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, and they frequently work long hours in extreme heat or cold.

Many are exposed to agricultural machinery, which can cause serious accidents if equipment is not properly guarded or workers are not trained.

Chemical risks include contact with pesticides and fertilizers, which can lead to acute poisoning or long‑term health effects if protective gear and safety procedures are not followed.

In some regions, crowded or substandard housing and limited access to healthcare further increase health risks for farm workers.

Why are agricultural workers often excluded from standard labor protections?

In several countries, including the United States, agricultural workers have historically been excluded from some core labor protections because of political compromises made when foundational labor laws were created.

In the U.S., for example, the National Labor Relations Act and parts of the Fair Labor Standards Act originally left out many farm workers, particularly in the context of racial and regional politics in the 1930s.

As a result, agricultural workers in many places may lack the same guarantees for overtime pay, collective bargaining, or rest breaks that other workers receive, although some states and countries have since expanded protections at the local level.

How does migrant status affect conditions for farm workers?

Migrant farm workers often face added vulnerabilities tied to their immigration status and dependence on a single employer.

Temporary or undocumented workers may be reluctant to report unsafe conditions, wage theft, or abuse because they fear job loss or deportation.

In guest worker programs like the U.S. H‑2A visa, workers are typically tied to one employer for housing, transportation, and legal status, which can limit their bargaining power and make it difficult to leave abusive situations.

Language barriers, isolation in rural areas, and limited access to legal aid or healthcare can further worsen conditions for migrant farm workers.

Is buying organic food always better for farm workers?

Organic certification focuses primarily on how crops and livestock are raised, especially the prohibition or restriction of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which can reduce some chemical exposures for farm workers.

However, organic standards alone do not necessarily guarantee fair wages, safe housing, or strong labor rights. Some farms pair organic production with additional social or fair labor certifications, while others do not.

Consumers who want to support both environmental and worker welfare often look for labels or programs that address labor conditions alongside organic practices.

What labels or certifications can help consumers support farm workers’ rights?

Consumers can look for certifications that address labor standards in addition to environmental practices.

Examples include Fairtrade International and Fair Trade USA, which set minimum prices and require compliance with criteria related to working conditions, freedom of association, and efforts to prevent child and forced labor.

Programs such as the Fair Food Program in the United States use legally binding agreements between growers, buyers, and worker organizations to improve wages and safety and to provide complaint mechanisms.

No label is perfect, but choosing products backed by independent monitoring and transparent standards can shift some market power toward farms that treat workers more fairly.

How has the farm worker movement changed agricultural labor in the United States?

Organizing by farm workers and their allies has led to several concrete improvements in parts of U.S. agriculture.

Starting in the 1960s, groups such as the United Farm Workers used strikes, boycotts, and collective bargaining to secure contracts that raised wages, reduced pesticide exposure, and provided rest breaks and access to toilets and drinking water in the fields.

Their campaigns also helped spur state‑level laws in places like California that give agricultural workers some rights to organize and bargain collectively.

While many challenges remain, the farm worker movement has shown that collective action can reshape both industry practices and public awareness of conditions in the fields.

How can climate change affect the lives and work of farm laborers?

Climate change intensifies many of the risks that farm workers already face. Rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves increase the likelihood of heat stress, dehydration, and heat stroke for people working outdoors.

Changing rainfall patterns and more extreme weather events can lead to crop failures or shifts in planting seasons, which may shorten work periods, reduce incomes, or force workers to migrate more often.

In some regions, the need to work longer hours during hotter periods to save crops can compound health risks.

Adaptation measures such as mandatory shade, rest breaks, clean drinking water, and heat‑safety training are increasingly important for protecting farm workers in a warming climate.