Tracking COVID-19 News in Farmworker Communities

Federal, state and local agencies have all failed to adequately track the spread of COVID-19 in farmworker communities across the U.S. The news media is, therefore, one of the only sources of data about COVID-19 infections in these communities. We have been tracking media pieces and compiling them here- please reach out to us using the contact form on this page to add media to this collection.

Cal Matters | First county announces new COVID-19 protections for temporary ag workers
Cal Matters | Investigation: COVID rips through motel rooms of guest workers who pick nation’s produce
Cal Matters | CalMatters investigation, COVID cases spur bill requiring employers disclose workplace outbreaks
The Guardian | 'Everyone tested positive': Covid devastates agriculture workers in California's heartland
The World | Farmworkers are getting coronavirus. They face retaliation for demanding safe conditions
POLITICO | Central Valley becomes California's new coronavirus concern
Desert Sun | Farmworkers adjust to new health protocols as grape harvest peaks during coronavirus pandemic
The New York Times | Helping California’s Hard-Hit Central Valley
LA Times | Coronavirus ravages California's Central Valley, following a cruel and familiar path
The Guardian | 'Our bills won't wait': the Florida town where farm laborers risk their lives to work amid Covid-19
Santa Ynez Valley News | Online petition seeks COVID-19 protection for farmworkers
SF Gate | Sonoma Co.: Supes Address Covid-19 Case Increase, Impact On Latinx Community
Santa Maria Sun | Local organizations call for action over farmworker conditions during COVID-19
Napa Valley Register | Clusters of COVID-19 cases arise among North Bay farmworkers, who remain vulnerable
Naples Daily News | Two medical relief groups leave Immokalee despite climbing COVID-19 cases
Health Affairs | How Is Rural Philanthropy Responding To COVID-19? Under The Radar.
WFYI | Amid COVID-19 Concerns, Clinics Step Up Testing For Migrant Farmworkers
ABC 7 | CA Farm Bureau president says farmworker safety is priority
Organic Trade Association | Organic Trade Association’s Board backs sweeping farm workforce reform
Insider NJ | Ruiz Introduces Legislation to Protect Farmworkers Against COVID-19
The North Bay Business Journal | Lake County reports first coronavirus death as ag worker outbreak drives cases
El Paso Times | Farmworkers center pushes for more testing with essential workers at risk for COVID-19
Santa Barbara Independent | Farmworkers in Santa Maria Win Better Wages, Working Conditions
Recordnet.com | Time to get serious about protecting farmworkers during COVID-19
WSWS.org | New Jersey growers refuse to test migrant farm workers for COVID-19
Napa Valley Register | Record 60 new COVID cases reported in Napa County Monday
The Wall Street Journal | Coronavirus Hits Nation’s Key Apple, Cherry Farms
Bakersfield Now Eyewitness News | High COVID cases among Latinos has health officials worried for farmworkers & Ag industry
Lompoc Record | Online petition seeks COVID-19 protection for farmworkers
International Viewpoint | Undocumented Farmworkers Are Refusing COVID Tests for Fear of Losing Their Jobs
WSWS.org | COVID-19 outbreak surges among Michigan farm workers in rural counties
Fern's Ag Insider | As Covid-19 cases spike, an unprecedented alliance races to protect California farmworkers
Michigan Radio | "We are not disposable people." Farmworkers speak out on conditions that have led to outbreaks.
Food & Environment Reporting Network | As Covid-19 cases spike, an unprecedented alliance emerges to protect California farmworkers
VC Star | Farmworker housing coronavirus outbreak: 188 test positive for COVID-19
Eater | ‘Oregon Businesses Will Not Be Able to Stay Open’ If COVID-19 Cases Continue to Climb
Direct Relief | A Health Center Steps Up for California Farmworkers During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Resilience | It’s Not Just Meat: All Farm and Food Workers Are in Peril
WAMC Northeast Public Radio | Free Testing For Covid-19 Offered To Western Mass. Farm Workers
KQED | Dozens of Pistachio Plant Workers Infected with COVID-19
NBC News | Transcript: Into Protecting Florida Farmworkers
NPR | During Pandemic, Farmworkers Kept Their Jobs And Raised Risk Of Infection
goskagit.com | Groups increase outreach to farmworkers during pandemic
In These Times | The Food Industry’s Next Covid-19 Victims: Migrant Farmworkers
Crosscut | Yakima County farmworkers called ‘sacrificial lambs’ of pandemic
MiBiz | Pandemic exacerbates concerns for migrant farm workers
News Chief | Polk migrant advocates seek support, virus testing for workers
Mountain Xpress | WNC’s Latino farmworkers feel COVID-19 impacts
Second Wave Michigan | Breaking down the unique challenges of Michigan's migrant farmworkers during COVID-19
The Oregonian | Farmworker advocates worry Oregon’s protections won’t keep laborers safe from coronavirus as harvest season ramps up
Keyt | COVID-19 outbreak hits Oxnard farmworker housing facility
The Tribune | Time to get serious about protecting California farmworkers from COVID-19
Cal Matters | We have to get serious about protecting California farmworkers during COVID-19
Los Angeles Times | Farmworkers at Central California Pistachio Strike after Dozens test positive for the coronavirus
The Sacramento Bee | Many California Latinos are essential workers – and they’re getting COVID-19 at alarming rates
Bakersfield.com | State investigates ag's COVID-19 safeguards
WIN Advisor | COVID-19 Cases Increasing, Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Board Establishes COVID-19 Task Force
CNN | He's considered an 'essential' worker. What he feels, though, is underpaid and at risk.
Wisconsin Public Radio | Wisconsin Farms Face New Worker Safety Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic
King City Rustler | Monterey County’s Covid-19 infection rates highest in agriculture
Local10.com | Concern rising about coronavirus in South Dade farming community
Cal Matters | For some California teens, school closures led to work in the fields
OPB | Townsend Farms Is Site Of Recent Oregon Coronavirus Outbreak
FERN | Covid-19 is spreading among farmworkers, and it may get worse
Patch | Coronavirus Taking A Major Toll On Washington's Farms
Bridge | Coronavirus outbreaks tied to migrant farm workers in Michigan
Successful Farming | Coronavirus Pay Raise Proposed for Farmworkers
NBC | Farm Workers Strike After They See on TV That Dozens of Coworkers Have Coronavirus
NPR Michigan Radio | More than 50 workers have tested positive for COVID-19 at a single farm in Coldwater
FERN | Covid-19 shows no sign of slowing among food-system workers
Rome News-Tribune | Fort Benning, farmworker cases cause COVID-19 surge in South Georgia
Local10.com | Advocates for migrant agricultural workers say DeSantis needs to stop coronavirus ‘blaming game'
Eater Seattle | Gov. Jay Inslee Announces New COVID-19 Measures to Address Farmworker Safety
The Californian | California farmers stand to lose up to $8.6B says Farm Bureau-commissioned study
Modern Farmer | More COVID-19 Outbreaks Are Hitting Farmworkers
Civil Eats | OSHA Faulted for Not Doing More to Protect Workers from COVID-19
ABC 7 | Team of doctors visit farmworkers in Ventura County on site amid coronavirus pandemic
Fern's Ag Insider | Coronavirus pay raise proposed for farmworkers
Idaho Press | Idaho farmworker advocates collecting donations to support immigrant farmworkers impacted by COVID-19
WSWS.org | Coronavirus spreading among agriculture and seafood workers in the US
VT Digger | Moats: Migrant farm workers especially vulnerable to effects of pandemic
ENS | Episcopal farmworker ministries respond to needs during COVID-19 pandemic
The Wenatchee World | Agricultural industry shows streak of positive COVID-19 tests
Washington Policy Center | No easy answers for agriculture, workers, and COVID-19
Farm Journal's Ag Pro | Fewer Than 1% Of Farm Workers Have Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
The News Tribune | Farmworkers’ union sues state agencies over COVID-19 emergency rules
Farm Bureau | Americans Support COVID-19 Aid to Farmers; Trust Remains High
Michigan News | Handal & Iglesias-Rios: Essential but expendable? Protecting farm workers during COVID-19
High Country News | Coronavirus concerns revive labor organizing
Bridge | Whitmer orders coronavirus protections for Michigan’s migrant farm workers
Huffpost | As Summer Season Heats Up, Migrant Workers Confront Compounded Coronavirus Risks
Daily Democrat | Coronavirus pandemic has affected state’s food, agriculture and environment
ABC news | Latinos shoulder disproportionate coronavirus cases: CDC data
In these times | Undocumented Farmworkers Are Refusing Covid Tests for Fear of Losing Their Jobs
The Packer | COVID-19 cases mount as summer harvesting heats up
Reuters | Coronavirus spreads among fruit and vegetable packers, worrying U.S. officials
KDRV.com | Gov. Brown pledges $30M toward protecting farm workers from COVID-19
Capital Press | As farmers gear up for new COVID-19 rules, state offers help
WRAL.com | Conservation, farm worker groups press Cooper on coronavirus transparency
Politico | Florida Covid-19 cases soar in agricultural communities
Local10.com | Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attributes spike in coronavirus numbers to farm workers’ outbreak
Brown Field Ag News for America | U OF M ASKS FOR FARMWORKER PROTECTIONS
Forbes | New Outbreaks In Fruit And Vegetable Operations Threaten Farm Workers And Food Supply
Southeast Ag Net Radio Network | FDACS Disputes Agriculture is Driving COVID-19 Increases in Florida
Press of Atlantic City | Seasonal farm worker testing finds 16% positive so far for COVID-19
NJ Spotlight | South Jersey Seasonal Farmworkers with COVID-19 Infections Now Up to 400
Business Insider | Washington state issues emergency rule to protect farm workers from COVID-19.
Valdosta Daily Times | Lanier COVID-19 cases triple with migrant farmworker testing
La Voz Bilingüe | Alamosa Mushroom Farm deals with COVID-19
Bloomberg | Texas Confronts Surge in Hospitalizations After Reopening
Claims Journal | Every Single Worker Has Covid at a U.S. Farm on Harvest Eve
ABC 10 | Close Quarters: California’s overcrowded homes fuel spread of coronavirus among workers
Miami Herald | DeSantis attributes COVID surge to farmworkers. Aid groups say testing help came late
GDP | Georgia's COVID scorecard shows negative trends; farmworker cases hit South Georgia
Gainesville.com | 76 Alachua County farm workers test positive for COVID-19
The Colorado Sun | Devastated by weather and the coronavirus pandemic, Western Slope farm workers try to hold on
Politico | In absence of federal action, farm workers’ coronavirus cases spike
Times of San Diego | COVID-19 Infections Rising Among Vegetable Packing Workers in California
The Washington Post | Migrant farmworkers, many coronavirus positive, move north from Florida to other states
Los Angeles Times | Most California voters back coronavirus protections for undocumented farmworkers, poll finds
KEPR | Farmworkers test positive for COVID-19 at Washington orchard
The New York Times | A Former Farmworker on American Hypocrisy
Yakima Herald | Growers push back on proposed rules to protect guest farmworkers from COVID-19
VC Star | Public health: 'Fire is out' on Santa Paula packinghouse outbreak that infected 44 people
Random Lengths News | Washington Farmworkers Become COVID-19 Guniea Pigs
Cornell Chronicle | Program delivers masks, COVID-19 info for NY farmworkers
North Coast Citizen | KN95 masks, hand sanitizer distribution for farmworkers, agricultural producers
WABE | The Risk The Coronavirus Poses To Georgia’s Farmworkers
Angelus | Concerns mount over lack of COVID-19 protections for California farmworkers
Cornell Chronicle | COVID-19 impact: Mary Jo Dudley on vulnerable farmworkers
LAist | This Undocumented Farmworker Is Worried About How She'll Feed Her Kids If Coronavirus Takes Her Job Away
NPR | A Van Warns Farmworkers In Florida About The Coronavirus
National Law Review | Washington Implements New COVID-19 Safety Rules for Farmworker Housing
The Fence Post | House members urge Pelosi, McCarthy to use CCC to help farmworkers
NBC News | Farmworkers sue Washington state seeking coronavirus protections
AJC | OPINION: Why protecting farmworkers against COVID-19 is essential
News & Observer | State reports more COVID-19 cases among farmworkers — but stops releasing names of farms
USA Today | Essential farmworkers put food on our tables. Where are their basic protections?
The New York Times | Why the People Harvesting Californians’ Food Can’t Afford It
Politico | Trump deems farmworkers 'essential' but not safety rules for them. That could threaten the food supply.
Civil Eats | As Hundreds of Farmworkers Test Positive for COVID-19, Many Remain Unprotected
The Fence Post | Advocates: There’s still time to save farmworkers from COVID-19
The Bulletin | Protective gear going to farmworkers, but needs still unmet
Capital and Main | Are Washington’s Farmworkers COVID-19 Guinea Pigs?
NJ Spotlight | More Than Half of a South Jersey Farm’s Workers Infected With COVID-19, DOH Reports
Civil Eats | Op-ed: Migrant Farmworkers, Native Ranchers in Border States Hit Hardest by COVID-19
EWG | Work Conditions Make Farmworkers Uniquely Vulnerable to COVID-19
Vermont Public Radio | 'They Should Include Us': Vermont's Immigrant Farmworkers Push For Coronavirus Aid
Portland Tribune | Coronavirus changes Oregon farmworker housing, labor rules
Food Tank | At High Risk for COVID-19, Immokalee Farmworkers Demand Health Care Protections From the State of Florida
KPBS | Border Patrol Activity In Rural North County Alarms Farmworkers, Advocates
Bloomberg | Every Single Worker Has Covid at One U.S. Farm on Eve of Harvest
The Sacramento Bee | ‘It’s precarious.’ How San Joaquin Valley became a worrisome COVID-19 hotspot in California
Daily Republic | Health officer links out-of-county vineyard laborers to Fairfield Covid-19 increases
ClickOrlando.com | Florida governor attributes increase in coronavirus infections to farm workers, long-term care facilities
Eater | Why Farmworkers Are Especially at Risk for COVID-19
Moultrie Observer | UPDATE: Coronavirus cancels farmworker health outreach
ABC News | Essential farmworkers risk COVID-19 exposure to maintain food supply
Partners
Data
Media
News
Contact
Donate

Copyright 2020- Covid-19 Farmworker Study