Women in Farmwork: The Burden Beyond the Fields

Women have historically played a significant role in farming, particularly in subsistence agriculture and family gardening, where their labor was essential to household survival. However, the rise of industrial farming in the late 19th and early 20th centuries shifted agriculture away from small-scale family farms to larger operations dependent on migrant labor. While women continued to contribute, they represented a smaller portion of the workforce compared to men and faced even fewer resources or protections in these demanding roles. While the 1910s through the 1930s saw the beginnings of organized farmworker uprisings, women remained a minority voice in these early movements, their struggles largely overshadowed by the broader fight for workers’ rights. 

Fast forward to today’s agricultural industry, migrant laborers form the backbone of the $164.7 billion U.S. agriculture sector, with women making up approximately 34% of the workforce. While farmwork is demanding and often seasonal for all laborers, women face unique challenges that set them apart. They frequently earn less than their male counterparts and often work in male-dominated environments where power imbalances are stark. Many farmworkers, including women, are paid by how much they produce rather than an hourly wage — for example, earning $0.50 for every 32-pound bucket of tomatoes harvested.  

This system can disadvantage women, who may struggle to compete physically with male colleagues in meeting grueling quotas. Adding to these inequities, women farmworkers are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment and assault. Studies highlight the alarming scope of the issue: in California’s Central Valley, 80% of surveyed women reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment, and nearly a quarter reported incidents of sexual coercion. These risks are exacerbated by the isolated nature of agricultural work, the lack of legal protections for many undocumented workers, and the transient nature of the job. 

The challenges faced by women farmworkers extend beyond the fields. Many live in poverty, grappling with unstable incomes and limited access to healthcare, housing, and other essential services. At home, women are often expected to shoulder the additional responsibilities of running a household and raising children, leaving them with little time or energy to focus on their own well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two-fifths of Hispanic women, who make up a significant majority of women farmworkers, experience sexual violence in their lifetime, a prevalence exacerbated by the isolation and economic hardships common in migrant communities. The lack of accessible resources or support networks leaves many women feeling trapped, compounding the systemic inequities they face both at work and at home. 

For this year’s National Farmworker Awareness Week, we are shining a light on the challenges faced by women in farmwork. Beyond these challenges, we also celebrate the women who have led the fight for farmworkers’ rights, past and present, and who have worked to make farmwork more equitable for all. Finally, we will explore the significant contributions of organizations like the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), which continue to drive progress for women in agriculture. Join us as we uncover the stories of resilience, leadership, and change that define the ongoing journey toward equity – for all – in farmwork.