Feasibility Study for an Alternative Farm Labor Contracting Model in California
With funding from Roots of Change and in collaboration with the Roots of Change Labor Workgroup, CIRS is conducting a study to assess the feasibility of an alternative farm labor contracting model in California. California’s current farm labor contracting system is generally associated with poor farmworker conditions, including low wages, unsafe conditions and numerous forms of exploitation. This study will assess the feasibility of an alternative model offering improved wages, benefits, more stable employment and opportunities for cross-training and professional development.
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Increasing Food Security among Agricultural Workers in California's Salinas Valley
Previous CIRS research on food security among farmworkers in Fresno County identified high levels of food insecurity among farmworkers, including hunger and poor diet and nutrition. Through a planning grant from the USDA Community Food Projects program, CIRS will be collaborating with the Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA) and the Monterey County Health Department to assess food security among farmworkers in the Salinas Valley and the feasibility of interventions including access to land for food production, access to food from the farm and access to free or low-cost production inputs.
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Increasing Employee Satisfaction and Retention through Improved Compensation Structures
With funding from the Western Center for Risk Management Education, CIRS will conduct research and disseminate information promoting effective practices in incentive pay systems. Use of incentive pay systems, including profit-sharing and bonuses, are reported by nearly half of all agricultural employers in California. When implemented properly, these practices can help employers manage risk, incentivize desired behaviors, promote employee satisfaction and retention and increase farmworker incomes. When not implemented properly, however, these practices can backfire, resulting in reduced employee morale, satisfaction and retention. CIRS will identify effective practices in incentive pay systems through a review of the literature, interviews with experts in agriculture and other industries and in-depth case studies of five farms successfully implementing incentive pay systems. The information will be disseminated to growers through a series of workshops that will be conducted throughout California in 2008 and 2009.
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