Tuesday, 10 June 2008 20:04

During the 2007 harvest season award-winning photojournalist Earl Dotter and documentary reporter Tennessee Watson traveled throughout Maine photographing and interviewing the workers who harvest the produce and work in the forests of this beautiful state.

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are one of this country’s most vulnerable and invisible populations. The goal of Dotter and Watson’s project was to provide a better understanding of farmworkers’ lives and working conditions and to “contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve agricultural working conditions and farmworkers access to basic services in Maine and throughout the United States.”

Almost all farmworkers live below the federal poverty level. Poor health is common due to poverty, transitional living, demanding physical labor, lack of services and social isolation. Dotter and Watson chose to do their documentary project in Maine because of a unique and very successful state program providing health care to migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The Maine Migrant Health Program “should serve as a model for all agricultural states in our Nation to emulate.”

Artists' Statement

Acknowledgements

About the Maine Migrant Health Program

The photos presented here are just a sampling of the exhibit.To scroll through them, click on the thumbnail below.  Please note that the slideshow currently works best in Internet Explorer.

Maine is known for its pristine wilderness, rugged conditions and hardy people who work the land and the sea. Yet Maine's timber and agricultural industries rely in large part on migrant farmworkers from Mexico, Central America, Jamaica and Canada. Perhaps for migrants coming to Maine it is closer to the way life should be. Workers say that housing conditions and access to health care surpass what they often experience in other states, but there is still much to be done to improve the lives of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Maine. Maine is known for its pristine wilderness, rugged conditions and hardy people who work the land and the sea. Yet Maine's timber and agricultural industries rely in large part on migrant farmworkers from Mexico, Central America, Jamaica and Canada. Perhaps for migrants coming to Maine it is closer to the way life should be. Workers say that housing conditions and access to health care surpass what they often experience in other states, but there is still much to be done to improve the lives of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Maine.

This is Jose Isidro Flores, a tree Planter for G&P Forestry Services from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, age 25. He came here on an H2B (non-agricultural, seasonal) guestworker visa (agricultural workers get an H2A visa). Both H2A farmworkers and H2B forestry workers are protected by the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. This is Jose Isidro Flores, a tree Planter for G&P Forestry Services from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, age 25. He came here on an H2B (non-agricultural, seasonal) guestworker visa (agricultural workers get an H2A visa). Both H2A farmworkers and H2B forestry workers are protected by the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.

Roberto Rodriguez Meja, another tree planter from Honduras, is 38. He said "I am very proud to be here legally. I thought for a while that if I traveled to another country or to the United States that I would put forth the effort and ask God to help me go to the United States legally." Roberto Rodriguez Meja, another tree planter from Honduras, is 38. He said "I am very proud to be here legally. I thought for a while that if I traveled to another country or to the United States that I would put forth the effort and ask God to help me go to the United States legally."

A welcoming flag at a Catholic Migrant Support Center in Ashland. "Thank you very much for coming to this country to work. May God bless and protect you." A welcoming flag at a Catholic Migrant Support Center in Ashland. "Thank you very much for coming to this country to work. May God bless and protect you."

Tree thinners and tree planters travel anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, mostly on logging roads, to get to and from their job sites in the woods. And they don't get paid for any of their transportation time. Tree thinners and tree planters travel anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, mostly on logging roads, to get to and from their job sites in the woods. And they don't get paid for any of their transportation time.

A planter's belt holding 120 Seedlings. Jesse Saunders, a silvaculturist for Irving, explains: "Usually a guy can do 1800 to 2000 trees a day. These guys did that for a number of years but now the contractor has developed a system, a kind of routine. He's got a core group of established tree planters and a couple superb foreman. This year their production is around 2400 and sometime 2600. You can take 20 guys and plant 50 acres in a day, which is a tremendous amount of ground." A planter's belt holding 120 Seedlings. Jesse Saunders, a silvaculturist for Irving, explains: "Usually a guy can do 1800 to 2000 trees a day. These guys did that for a number of years but now the contractor has developed a system, a kind of routine. He's got a core group of established tree planters and a couple superb foreman. This year their production is around 2400 and sometime 2600. You can take 20 guys and plant 50 acres in a day, which is a tremendous amount of ground."

Tree planter and tree thinner Manuel Flores tells a different side of the story. For him, he attributes the productivity to overwork and pressure from his crew bosses. Tree planter and tree thinner Manuel Flores tells a different side of the story. For him, he attributes the productivity to overwork and pressure from his crew bosses.

Workers routinely log 60 or more hours each week, but are denied federally required overtime. Manuel pulls out a couple recent timesheets just long enough to take quick pictures. He works between 10 and 12 hours a day, 6 days a week for an average of 60 hours a week. According to his time sheets one week he worked 37 hours at a rate of 12.99 minus taxes for a total of 441.86 dollars. Workers routinely log 60 or more hours each week, but are denied federally required overtime. Manuel pulls out a couple recent timesheets just long enough to take quick pictures. He works between 10 and 12 hours a day, 6 days a week for an average of 60 hours a week. According to his time sheets one week he worked 37 hours at a rate of 12.99 minus taxes for a total of 441.86 dollars.

And the other week he worked 37 hours at 13.23 for a total of 449.07 dollars. If he'd been paid the required prevailing wage for H2B forestry workers for 40 hours, plus time and a half for 20 hours he should be making close to 700 dollars a week. And the other week he worked 37 hours at 13.23 for a total of 449.07 dollars. If he'd been paid the required prevailing wage for H2B forestry workers for 40 hours, plus time and a half for 20 hours he should be making close to 700 dollars a week.

Working land clear cut the year before, the crew plants the seedlings approximately 7 feet a part. Working land clear cut the year before, the crew plants the seedlings approximately 7 feet a part.

Plunging the Dibble into the earth the tree planter makes way for the seedling root. Often the tool strikes hard rock beneath the surface. That shock to the shoulder causes injuries over time. Plunging the Dibble into the earth the tree planter makes way for the seedling root. Often the tool strikes hard rock beneath the surface. That shock to the shoulder causes injuries over time.

These workers are harvesting broccoli. A crew from El Salvador and Mexico with 10 Cutters below and 5 Packers above make their way across the field, ten rows at a time. These workers are harvesting broccoli. A crew from El Salvador and Mexico with 10 Cutters below and 5 Packers above make their way across the field, ten rows at a time.

The Cutters must stoop to cut, raise themselves up and turn to throw the broccoli heads onto the platform. The Maine Migrant Health Project has suggested the work be reorganized so the cutters can throw the heads forward to the packing platform instead of constantly having to twist around, after stooping to make the cut. The Cutters must stoop to cut, raise themselves up and turn to throw the broccoli heads onto the platform. The Maine Migrant Health Project has suggested the work be reorganized so the cutters can throw the heads forward to the packing platform instead of constantly having to twist around, after stooping to make the cut.

A broccoli cutter wields a sharp knife to carefully cut only mature heads. A broccoli cutter wields a sharp knife to carefully cut only mature heads.

A crew bus returns to the Westfield Camp at 6:30 pm to find the Maine Migrant Health Project (MMHP) Mobile Clinic waiting to provide primary health care services. A crew bus returns to the Westfield Camp at 6:30 pm to find the Maine Migrant Health Project (MMHP) Mobile Clinic waiting to provide primary health care services.

Juan Rivas, from El Salvador has made use of the clinics here at Westfield Camp over many seasons. He earns per hour, works 12 hour days, 6 days a week for a total of 576 dollars per week, with housing, food and transportation provided. Juan Rivas, from El Salvador has made use of the clinics here at Westfield Camp over many seasons. He earns per hour, works 12 hour days, 6 days a week for a total of 576 dollars per week, with housing, food and transportation provided.

Barbara Ireland, a long time Nurse working with the MMHP performs preliminary patient assessment, followed up by Dr. Michael Rowland, the Medical Director. Barbara Ireland, a long time Nurse working with the MMHP performs preliminary patient assessment, followed up by Dr. Michael Rowland, the Medical Director.

Mike Rowland examines Hidalgo's other complaints and provides appropriate medication, just after his first 12 hour day in the field cutting broccoli. Mike Rowland examines Hidalgo's other complaints and provides appropriate medication, just after his first 12 hour day in the field cutting broccoli.

After visits to the MMHP Clinic, Migrants head down the road from the Westfield Labor Camp to Perry's Mini Mart. Here Francisco Hidalgo and several other Broccoli Cutters remit money home via Western Union. After visits to the MMHP Clinic, Migrants head down the road from the Westfield Labor Camp to Perry's Mini Mart. Here Francisco Hidalgo and several other Broccoli Cutters remit money home via Western Union.

According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Migrants around the world send over 300 Billion dollars to their home countries. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Migrants around the world send over 300 Billion dollars to their home countries.

Migrants also contribute to the local business economy. Here Tree Planters from Guatemala make their weekly grocery purchases on their day off at Walmart. Migrants also contribute to the local business economy. Here Tree Planters from Guatemala make their weekly grocery purchases on their day off at Walmart.

Tree Planters rest on their day off at Dormitory Housing they rent. Tree Planters rest on their day off at Dormitory Housing they rent.

Forestry workers cut each others hair on their day off. Forestry workers cut each others hair on their day off.

Javier Perez 62, was an Egg House Cleaner for 4 years at DeCoster. On this day he quit because he was reassigned to a poorly maintained chicken house, after completing a top-notch cleaning job on his previous assignment. He left Maine to work in Nebraska's potato harvest. He finished in November and is now spending time with family in Wichita, Kansas. Javier Perez 62, was an Egg House Cleaner for 4 years at DeCoster. On this day he quit because he was reassigned to a poorly maintained chicken house, after completing a top-notch cleaning job on his previous assignment. He left Maine to work in Nebraska's potato harvest. He finished in November and is now spending time with family in Wichita, Kansas.

Most of the crew of Jamaicans at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester have worked harvesting produce there for the last 10 seasons. Most of the crew of Jamaicans at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester have worked harvesting produce there for the last 10 seasons.

Derick Dunbar is one of the younger farm workers at Pineland. Derick Dunbar is one of the younger farm workers at Pineland.

Derick uses the term farmer and farmworker interchangeably when he talks about his convictions about how those who work the land are treated. "I am a farmer. I love farming. I love it, love it. That is my life. I am proud to be a farmer. Without the farmers there is no food. There is no life. Without the man out there in the hot day sun. Machine cannot do everything. Machine cannot pick apples. So you need the farmer to do the picking so you can drink a bottle of Mott's apple juice. You don�t know what the farmer has to go through climbing that tall ladder. We are in the 21st century. People have to be treated in the right and proper way as humans because without the farmers there is nothing. And I have to emphasize that life cannot exist without farmers. People are going to have to take a different approach to how to how they treat farmworkers, because right now we are heading for trouble." Derick uses the term farmer and farmworker interchangeably when he talks about his convictions about how those who work the land are treated. "I am a farmer. I love farming. I love it, love it. That is my life. I am proud to be a farmer. Without the farmers there is no food. There is no life. Without the man out there in the hot day sun. Machine cannot do everything. Machine cannot pick apples. So you need the farmer to do the picking so you can drink a bottle of Mott's apple juice. You don�t know what the farmer has to go through climbing that tall ladder. We are in the 21st century. People have to be treated in the right and proper way as humans because without the farmers there is nothing. And I have to emphasize that life cannot exist without farmers. People are going to have to take a different approach to how to how they treat farmworkers, because right now we are heading for trouble."

The Jamaican Crew enjoy superior employment benefits such as an hourly rate of 9.50 and housing that sets a high standard for other growers in the state. The Jamaican Crew enjoy superior employment benefits such as an hourly rate of 9.50 and housing that sets a high standard for other growers in the state.

This is Karen Piper of Piper Dairy. Their dairy farm has grown from 150 cows to 500 in recent years. "When we grew the demand became greater. And then the dynamics in the area changed. There weren't as many young people applying for jobs as usual. I suspect many of the mills in the surrounding towns went out of business and a lot of the families moved to other areas" This is Karen Piper of Piper Dairy. Their dairy farm has grown from 150 cows to 500 in recent years. "When we grew the demand became greater. And then the dynamics in the area changed. There weren't as many young people applying for jobs as usual. I suspect many of the mills in the surrounding towns went out of business and a lot of the families moved to other areas"

So Piper Dairy went to contract labor from Mexico. Here, a herdsman adds the Mexican Flag to the front office display. "It's something that quietly happened," Piper explains, "we started out with two and then we became aware of what was going on. And we found out there was one here and one there and pretty soon there were 2 there and two there and there. And quietly the numbers are growing. At least once a month I get a phone call from a farm wanting to know how I got help." So Piper Dairy went to contract labor from Mexico. Here, a herdsman adds the Mexican Flag to the front office display. "It's something that quietly happened," Piper explains, "we started out with two and then we became aware of what was going on. And we found out there was one here and one there and pretty soon there were 2 there and two there and there. And quietly the numbers are growing. At least once a month I get a phone call from a farm wanting to know how I got help."

Errol Watkins, a MMHP Camp Health Aide conducts a meeting on the issue of stress. Stress is a common feature of the Migrant farmworker's experience. Errol Watkins, a MMHP Camp Health Aide conducts a meeting on the issue of stress. Stress is a common feature of the Migrant farmworker's experience.

Laurence Hearney is one of many Mic Mak and Passamaquady Indians, members of the Wabanaki Nation, who hold dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S. For the month of August they migrate from Canada for the blueberry harvest here in Maine. Laurence Hearney is one of many Mic Mak and Passamaquady Indians, members of the Wabanaki Nation, who hold dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S. For the month of August they migrate from Canada for the blueberry harvest here in Maine.

This Native American is using a poorly designed blueberry rake with one short handle. A stooping position is necessary while using this rake. This Native American is using a poorly designed blueberry rake with one short handle. A stooping position is necessary while using this rake.

Richard Soucy, a Passamaquady Indian, removes debris from a blueberry box. A full box of berries weighs approximately 25 pounds. Workers are paid 2.50 a box. At Whole Foods in Durham a 15 ounce bag of blueberries costs 4.69. Richard Soucy, a Passamaquady Indian, removes debris from a blueberry box. A full box of berries weighs approximately 25 pounds. Workers are paid 2.50 a box. At Whole Foods in Durham a 15 ounce bag of blueberries costs 4.69.

Dock 19, a Cherryfield Food Camp, provides typical farmworker housing: bunk houses with common bathrooms and kitchens. Dock 19, a Cherryfield Food Camp, provides typical farmworker housing: bunk houses with common bathrooms and kitchens.

Temporary field and factory processing workers live in Wyman company housing. In 1999 Wyman's workers went on strike to raise the box rate to $ 2.75 and to improve worker housing. The box pay rate has since returned to $ 2.50. Temporary field and factory processing workers live in Wyman company housing. In 1999 Wyman's workers went on strike to raise the box rate to $ 2.75 and to improve worker housing. The box pay rate has since returned to $ 2.50.

Timothy Simon, a Mic Mac from Eel Ground, New Brunswick, has been working in the blueberry harvest for the last 53 years, since he was 10 years old. Timothy Simon, a Mic Mac from Eel Ground, New Brunswick, has been working in the blueberry harvest for the last 53 years, since he was 10 years old.

This year his son Micah Francis is along too. Timothy says 15 years ago 80% of the workers were Native American, and that after the strike in 99 Wyman's hired mostly Latino workers. Timothy and Micah are one of the only Mic Mac families in the camp. This year his son Micah Francis is along too. Timothy says 15 years ago 80% of the workers were Native American, and that after the strike in 99 Wyman's hired mostly Latino workers. Timothy and Micah are one of the only Mic Mac families in the camp.

Kids as young as twelve can work in the fields in Maine. Vince is from Princeton, ME. Kids as young as twelve can work in the fields in Maine. Vince is from Princeton, ME.

Growers use a variety of pesticides on blueberry crops including Poast the herbicide listed on the warning sign. Growers use a variety of pesticides on blueberry crops including Poast the herbicide listed on the warning sign.

Warning signs are required by law before application activities commence and for at least two days following the completion of the application. The only notification we got that pesticides were being applied here was the chemical odor that hit us a half mile before we reached this field. Warning signs are required by law before application activities commence and for at least two days following the completion of the application. The only notification we got that pesticides were being applied here was the chemical odor that hit us a half mile before we reached this field.

Mariah Pfeiffer, outreach worker for the Maine Migrant Health Program, brings pesticide safety training to the fields. Workers participate in a short training and then receive a certification card, which they have to recertify every two years. Mariah Pfeiffer, outreach worker for the Maine Migrant Health Program, brings pesticide safety training to the fields. Workers participate in a short training and then receive a certification card, which they have to recertify every two years.

In the spring this exhibit is returning to the communities in Maine where these harvests take place. In the spring this exhibit is returning to the communities in Maine where these harvests take place.

We hope that this exhibit demonstrates the critical role migrants play in Maine's economy, and that it communicates the importance of projects like the Maine Migrant Health Program. We hope that this exhibit demonstrates the critical role migrants play in Maine's economy, and that it communicates the importance of projects like the Maine Migrant Health Program.

The Maine Migrant Health Program provides health services to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers no matter their country of origin, English language proficiency, or immigration status. Let that be a model for other states in the way migrant farmworkers should be treated. The Maine Migrant Health Program provides health services to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers no matter their country of origin, English language proficiency, or immigration status. Let that be a model for other states in the way migrant farmworkers should be treated.