Skip to content
California Institute for Rural Studies Research on Sustainable Farming Practices in California
 
September 4, 2008
Ron Strochlic - ED,  California Institute for Rural Studies

Since 1977, the California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS), a nonprofit based in Davis, CA, has been conducting research promoting a rural California that is socially just, ecologically balanced, and economically sustainable. With a focus on improved conditions for agricultural workers and a more sustainable food system, CIRS research directly ties in with a number of the goals and objectives outlined in Roots Of Change’s New Mainstream 5-Year Campaign Strategy, including improved conditions for agricultural workers, increased viability of sustainable farmers, and the promotion of ecologically sustainable farming practices. Some examples of CIRS's more recent research are discussed below

Meaningful Livelihoods and Opportunities for Food and Farming Workers

A key component of CIRS’ work is promoting increased awareness of social sustainability as an integral part of a more sustainable food system.  Improving conditions for California’s agricultural workers is key to this goal. CIRS’ landmark study, Suffering in Silence, represents the first effort to gather baseline data on farmworker health in the U.S. The findings identified poor health conditions and limited access to health care for farmworkers, and laid the foundation for The California Endowment’s $50 million Agricultural Worker Health Initiative and subsequent Poder Popular program.

Based on findings from Suffering in Silence regarding the high prevalence of diet-related disease among farmworkers, CIRS recently conducted an assessment of food security among agricultural workers in Fresno County – Hunger in the Fields – which identified high rates of hunger and poor diet and nutrition among farmworkers and accompanying family members. These findings are particularly disturbing, since Fresno County, with over $4 billion in sales in 2007, is the highest grossing agricultural county in the entire nation. Based on the assessment findings, CIRS is currently developing a Spanish-language telenovela style video that will educate farmworkers about improved diet and nutrition and will promote increased utilization of food stamps. CIRS is also about to embark on a planning study to assess the feasibility of obtaining access to land to allow farmworkers to produce their own food.

Fair Food and the Triple Bottom Line

Identifying problems is merely the first step in promoting a more positive vision for agriculture in California. Holding up positive models and best practices is a powerful second step. To this end, CIRS has been working to identify and increase awareness of positive models for improved farmworker conditions. Developed in partnership with Roots of Change, The Workforce Action Plan for Farm Labor in California offers a vision for a more socially sustainable food system. Based on joint conversations with farmworkers and agricultural employers, this document lays out a vision for improved farmworker conditions and strategies for achieving those goals.  

Recent CIRS work has also focused on strategies for promoting a “triple bottom line” in agriculture, based on economic, environmental and social considerations, an approach that fits strongly with ROC objectives. CIRS recently completed case study research on sustainable farms with a reputation for positive farm labor conditions – Best Labor Practices on Twelve California Farms: Toward a More Sustainable Food System – which identified a range of positive farm labor practices that many growers are currently implementing. In addition to benefits for farmworkers, the findings also reveal a broad range of benefits for growers, including increased retention rates, a more stable and productive workforce and higher quality products. The findings demonstrate that growers offering positive farm labor conditions are “doing well by doing good.”

Nonetheless, the question of whether organic agriculture is associated with improved farm labor conditions has been a subject of intense debate. To answer that question, CIRS conducted a survey of farm labor conditions on 300 organic farms in California. The findings – Farm Labor Conditions on Organic Farms in California – offers a snapshot of farm labor conditions on organic farms and provide valuable baseline data with which to measure progress over time. The findings also point to the “business case” for improved farm labor conditions, and reveal that farms with good labor conditions report higher retention rates.

CIRS is also working to promote market-based mechanisms promoting food from farms with good labor conditions. With funding from the Columbia Foundation and in collaboration with Rick Nahmias Photography , CIRS is currently developing a multimedia presentation to educate viewers about current farm labor conditions in the U.S., farms providing positive workplace conditions, and the broader movement for fair food. This presentation will target university students seeking more sustainable food on their campuses and corporations seeking a more socially responsible supply chain.

Increased Viability of Sustainable Farming

In addition to promoting improved farmworker conditions, CIRS research has sought to promote increased viability of organic and sustainable farming. Recent research has focused on direct marketing – The California Agricultural Direct Marketing Study – with follow-up research focusing on community supported agriculture – Community Supported Agriculture in California, Oregon and Washington: Challenges and Opportunities .
Despite California’s reputation as “the birthplace of organic” and growth rates of 15-20% in the organic sector, only 2% of California farmland is currently in organic production, while less than 1% of California farms report organic production. Recent CIRS research has sought to better understand the reasons behind that. Conventional, Mixed and “Deregistered” Organic Farmers: Entry Barriers and Reasons for Exiting Organic Production in California and – Factors Associated with Deregistration among Organic Farmers in California – offer insights regarding why approximately 10-15% of organic farmers discontinue organic production each year, as well as conventional grower attitudes toward the adoption of organic agriculture and mixed grower plans regarding expanding their organic acreage.

Recruiting and training new organic farmers is essential to the goal of transitioning California to a more sustainable food system. A CIRS evaluation of the Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA) program to train new organic farmers – From Farmworker to Farmer: Findings from an Evaluation of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association Small Farmer Education Program – provides a range of insights regarding factors contributing to the success and failure of new farmers.

Consumer confidence in organic claims is also essential to the success of organic agriculture. CIRS research following the implementation of the National Organic Standards assessed consumer awareness and understanding of that program and impacts of the USDA organic seal on consumer confidence in organic claims and changes in consumption patterns - Regulating Organic: Impacts of the National Organic Standards on Consumer Awareness and Organic Consumption Patterns .

Promoting Ecological Agriculture

CIRS research has also promoted more ecologically sound farming practices for over 30 years. In collaboration with the California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative, CIRS participated in the development of Water Stewardship: Ensuring a Secure Future for California Agriculture , a “Blue Paper” designed to lay the groundwork for more sustainable use of increasingly scarce water resources in California agriculture. CIRS also recently published Clearing the Air: Mitigating the Impact of Dairies on Fresno County's Air Quality and Public Health , a feasibility study supporting the Fresno Healthy Dairy campaign’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy operations.

For a complete description of current projects and access to reports please visit CIRS’ website: www.cirsinc.org.  
Trackback(0)
feed0 Comments

Write comment
 
  smaller | bigger
 

busy
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]

Translate this site

fd banner.jpg

Be a Changemaker - Actions You Can Take Today

Here are some actions you can take today to help create a sustainable food system for CA in one generation. 
Learn more here.   

Call For Volunteers –

How would you like to meet new people, help them connect to the sustainable food movement, and have fun at the same time?
Find out more...

Donate to the Roots of Change!

Click here to donate and help support a sustainable food system for California!

Log onto the California Food Systems Network

Connect, collaborate, and create. The Food California Food Systems Network is a hub where all parts of the California food system can share, learn, and demonstrate the links between organizations, individuals, and businesses.

Just click here to check it out!