Latino Migrant Farm Workers

The migrant farm worker (MFW) population in Fuquay-Varina consists of predominantly Mexican workers on Guest-Worker Program Visas (the H2A program). They live in a number of camps on land owned by farmers and usually remain in the area for approximately six months at a time, and many return yearly. Although they are viewed as a temporary sub-community within the larger Latino community, MFWs interact with many services, organizations and community members in Fuquay-Varina and are considered an important part of the Latino community.

Outsiders' Views

Many outsiders are unaware of the size of the MFW population in the Fuquay-Varina area and the difficulties they face. However, some of the outsiders who were interviewed work directly with the MFW population in Fuquay-Varina and surrounding camps. One of the primary challenges facing MFWs is health. The Migrant Farm Worker Health Program, which is provided jointly by the Office of Rural Health and the SRC, and St. Bernadette Catholic Church, work closely with MFWs by providing health care on-site and at the church. Some of the most commonly cited health needs include the following: cuts, rashes, and "green tobacco sickness" that causes nausea, vomiting, indigestion, dizziness and fatigue. Many of these health issues are addressed on-site or at the church, making visits to the clinic unnecessary. Representatives of these organizations report that MFWs experience isolation while at camps in Fuquay-Varina and are happy when the organizations' employees go to visit them.

Insiders' Views

A focus group held with MFWs provided rich insight into their experience in Fuquay-Varina and surrounding areas. Feelings of isolation and homesickness were challenges that repeatedly arose during the focus group discussion. These feelings are compounded further by limited interaction with other people, including year-round Latino residents, which restricts their social lives. The most common interaction with residents of Fuquay-Varina occurs at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, La Pulga, and Las Carolinas Latino store. The church provides transportation to and from Spanish language mass on Sundays and offers ESL classes during the summer. At La Pulga and Las Carolinas, MFWs buy Mexican and other Latin American goods and send mail and money home or call loved ones.

In addition to homesickness and isolation, the MFWs share a sense of vulnerability and victimization regarding certain situations. The MFWs told a story of a farm close to a major highway in the Fuquay-Varina area where MFWs were robbed at gunpoint by two African-American men. The farm workers feel targeted because they often have no bank accounts where they can deposit their money and instead resort to carrying their money in their pockets, making them susceptible to crime. It's difficult to ascertain how common the robberies occur; however, the story was alluded to several times during the two hour-long focus group discussion.

The MFWs were aware of the need to stay physically healthy in order to be productive, and some mentioned that they take both Western and traditional medicines to prevent and treat illness and injury. However, they mentioned that making money is their top priority and the main reason for being in the United States. Thus, sometimes they feel that they cannot sacrifice a day's work in order to take care of their health.

Comparison

The views of outsiders who interact with MFWs on a regular basis are similar to those of the MFWs. The amount of time spent together and the perceived commitment of service providers to the well-being of MFWs is the most likely explanation for this similarity. However, one area of inconsistent viewpoints is the use of traditional medicines by MFWs to self-medicate. Service providers appear to be unaware of the common types of remedies available and the degree to which MFWs use them.

Language and Culture

Employment