Agriculture consistently ranks among the most hazardous occupations in the United

States. Farmworkers—a vital yet frequently overlooked population—face

disproportionately high risks of injury, illness, and fatal accidents due to exposure to

pesticides, extreme weather, heavy machinery, and strenuous physical labor. Many face

additional hurdles, including language barriers, limited healthcare access, and fear of

reprisal, compounding their vulnerability.

To directly address these challenges, the Farmworker Health and Safety Program

works to empower workers and their families with the critical knowledge and skills

needed to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.

Here is an update on our latest initiatives, progress, and upcoming events across

Henderson County.

On-Farm Training: Safety Where It Matters Most

Our primary approach delivers training directly to farmworkers at their worksites during

their regular work schedules. Providing education in a familiar environment allows for

immediate practical application.

To ensure maximum engagement and comprehension:

• Cultural & Linguistic Relevance: All materials—including handouts, posters,

and videos—are created in Spanish using culturally relevant imagery and

examples.

• Interactive Dialogue: Sessions use a conversational style, offering ample time

for questions and open discussion.

• Core Topics: Training focuses heavily on Pesticide Safety (proper handling,

PPE use, restricted-entry intervals, and emergency procedures to prevent acute

poisoning and family exposure) and Heat Stress (recognizing signs

of heat exhaustion and heatstroke while navigating risks related to shade, rest,

and water access). We also address risks from machinery, falls, repetitive strain,

and respiratory hazards.

Progress Target: To date, we have conducted 8 trainings reaching 245 farmworkers.

Our goal for the year is to complete 12 to 15 on-farm sessions.

Celebrating Our Essential Workers: The Farmworker Fair

On July 25th, we hosted our 6th Farmworker Fair at a local farm, welcoming over 125

farmworkers and their families. Beyond serving as an educational resource, the fair

honors the essential workers who bring food to our tables.

The event is a vibrant collaboration with regional service providers, including Pardee

UNC Health, Blue Ridge Health, IAM, True Ridge, The Free Clinics, Henderson County

Public Health, UNETE, Pisgah Legal, and Migrant Ed, and others. This year's fair even

featured a mobile barber shop offering free haircuts to attendees (including the author of

this article!).

• Save the Date: Our next Farmworker Fair is scheduled for October 24th.

Expanding Food Access: Farmworker Food Boxes

While Interfaith Assistance Ministries (IAM) has long operated a "mobile food pantry"

serving Henderson County, farmworkers were underrepresented among recipients due

to access constraints. To bridge this gap, our program began ordering food boxes

delivered directly to the farms where workers reside and labor.

To expand this effort, IAM recently acquired a dedicated mini van pantry designed

specifically to navigate farm visits. In just the first two weeks of launch, food boxes were

delivered to 7 local farms. Our goal is to extend this food delivery service to every farm

utilizing farmworkers in Henderson County.

Engaging the Broader Community

Building support requires raising awareness across the wider public. The Henderson

Extension Office Farmworker Program regularly speaks at local churches, civic groups,

and nonprofits.

Recently, we participated in a panel discussion at St. James Episcopal Church following

a screening of the documentary Without Shade Without Rest. Attended by roughly 175

community members, the event sparked meaningful dialogue on how the issues

highlighted in the film impact Henderson County and Western North Carolina. Additional

community events are currently in development.