California

California AgrAbility's Esmeralda Mandujano presented a webinar in Spanish for community partners CREO and Communicare Health Centers on the topic of arthritis and the ways it impacts individuals working in agriculture. Esmeralda provided an overview of what arthritis is, who it affects, how it is diagnosed, and the most common types of arthritis. She explained that arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to inflammation of the joints, affecting over 46 million adults in the United States. Individuals working in agriculture are at increased risk for developing arthritis as the result of the repetitive movements involved in farm work. The presentation provided important information and guidance on assistive tools that help individuals with arthritis to continue to work successfully on the farm and in their gardens.

California AgrAbility staff members joined the UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety's monthly seminar, "California Farm Labor in 2021," presented by Agriculture and Resource Economics Professor Emeritus Dr. Philip Martin. Per Dr. Martin, between the years of 1980 - 2010, there was an abundance of farm labor in the state of California. Since 2015, California has been in a transition race between migrant H-2A workers, who now make up 10% of farm laborers in the United States, mechanization, and increasing exports of fruits and vegetables. H-2A workers are typically younger males who are willing to take riskier employment and are generally concentrated in harvesting positions where there is a higher risk of injury. Injuries are not often reported. In general, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated trends in farm labor as the number of export workers, fruits, and vegetables has increased since 2020. However, the agriculture industry did not see a shift of workers from closed restaurants into the fields. Both the U.S. and the United Kingdom have experienced an increase in guest workers since 2020.

California AgrAbility staff members attended the 17th National AgrAbility virtual training workshop session, "Asking the Right Questions and Finding the Right Resources for Rural Caregivers," presented by Dee Jepson and Laura Akgerman of Ohio AgrAbility at The Ohio State University. The session opened with an interactive activity followed by an overview of caregivers in the United States and the ways AgrAbility can help. This session was particularly helpful for attendees developing caregiver programs. Dee and Laura provided insight, tips, and resources for hosting successful informational workshops for rural caregivers and community partners.

Submitted by Sara Wat