November 2021 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Studies view crime, COVID in ag
A Montana State University (MSU) economist recently published two articles
examining influencing factors and impacts of seasonal agricultural labor.
Diane Charlton is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural
Economics and Economics in MSU's College
of Agriculture. Her paper, written with
MSU co-author Brock Smith and Alexander
James of the University of Alaska, " Seasonal
Agricultural Activity and Crime " appeared in
the American Journal of Economics. Another
paper, " Seasonal Farm Labor and COVID-19
Spread, " was published in Applied Economic
Perspectives and Policy
The first paper combines data on local criminal
activity and seasonal demand for farm labor in
counties across the nation that have high rates
of agricultural production from 1990 to 2016.
Charlton and Smith decided to collaborate on the
Gary Pullano
Editor
topic after they saw newspaper articles suggesting many U.S. residents assume
that migratory agricultural workers increase local crime rates.
" To our knowledge we are the first to examine how seasonal labor-intensive
agricultural activity impacts local crime rates, " they wrote. " An estimated 38% of
seasonal fruit, vegetable and horticultural workers were classified as migratory
from 1990 to 2016, and approximately 48% were unauthorized immigrants over
the same span. "
After analyzing 27 years' worth of data, Charlton and Smith concluded that
the increase in agricultural labor force reduces property and violent crime rates,
and possibly the number of property crimes. The paper attributes these findings
to the fact that harvests enhance opportunities in the local labor market, thereby
reducing the incentive to commit crimes. It also notes that previous research
generally has found that foreign-born immigrants are no more likely than
natural-born citizens to commit crimes.
" While economic shocks that attract new workers to the region are sometimes
associated with increased crime rates, positive economic shocks can also deter
crime by providing alternative economic opportunities, " said Charlton. " The
effects of seasonal agricultural labor booms on local crime rates is not obvious. "
In the second paper, Charlton examined the relationship between influxes of
migratory agricultural workers and COVID-19 in agricultural counties by looking at
month-to-month variations in agricultural employment and confirmed cases.
The analysis found that counties where 100 additional workers in fruit,
vegetable and horticultural production were employed had 4.5% more COVID-19
cases, or around 19 additional positive cases per 100,000 residents. Migration
might help explain the association between farm employment and COVID-19
incidence, and Charlton notes several potential contributing factors.
Those factors include the fact that many migratory farm workers live below
the poverty line, reside in densely populated quarters and often lack access to
health care or health insurance. Many farm workers report working even while
ill, perhaps because they fear losing hours of pay or because they simply feel well
enough to keep working, posit the authors. Surveys suggest that there is a higher
hesitancy to seek public services or potentially to get vaccinated since many are
undocumented immigrants.
Farm work itself does not necessarily increase the spread of COVID-19, Charlton
said. The paper notes that there is no statistically significant association with
COVID-19 incidence when it comes to crops that are harvested mechanically, such
as grains and oilseed, or in livestock agriculture. Fruit and vegetable crops, which
are mostly harvested by hand, showed greatest positive association with COVID-19
incidence.
" Understanding which commodities or agricultural activities are most highly
associated with COVID-19 spread can help producers and managers throughout
the food supply chain prepare for and mitigate losses and future risk, " Charlton
wrote. " The findings from this paper can help inform which agricultural industries
were most exposed to coronavirus-related risks in worker health and labor supply
in 2020 and determine priority strategies for managing potential disruptions to
farm labor supply in the future. "
Frequently, it takes a micro look at seemingly macro topics to find the true
conditions in the industry. These researchers hit the mark with their findings.
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New bacteria ID will help apple juice producers
avoid spoilage
Apple juice lovers won't be left with a bad
taste, thanks to a new study that identifies
three new bacteria species, one of which fouls
up the flavor.
Bernadine Strik honored with Duke Galletta
Award from NABC
Bernadine Strik, a veteran professor of
horticulture and a berry crop specialist and
researcher at Oregon State University, was
honored with the Duke Galletta Award for
Excellence in Horticultural Research by the North
American Blueberry Council.
New marketing agreement for SnapDragon and
RubyFrost apples
Crunch Time Apple Growers, the collective
of growers responsible for SnapDragon
and RubyFrost apples, has granted two
Michigan-based apple packaging, shipping
and marketing facilities - Applewood
Fresh Growers LLC and Riveridge Produce
Marketing Inc. - license to market both
varieties of apples effective immediately.
Berry growers plan innovation challenge to
address ag plastic waste
Fresh berry company Driscoll's has partnered
with Think Beyond Plastic to launch an
inaugural Agricultural Plastics Innovation
Challenge, which aims to stimulate new
recycling processes and the development
of alternatives to conventionally used field
plastics.
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November 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2021
