6th August: Farmworker Appreciation Day

Every year on August 6, Farmworker Appreciation Day is observed to honour farm employees and promote awareness of the difficulties that they confront. Farm labourers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and they are sometimes not protected by the same regulations that protect other workers. This is owing, in part, to their seasonal status and their proclivity to be immigrant labourers who return to their native country after the harvest.

Every year you can see them as you drive by the fields, hundreds of strong backs labouring under the hot summer sun to bring in the harvest. Farmers’ work only happens during this time of year, and it is inevitable that many of these individuals are here only for this task, and set to return to their home country afterwards. Some of the hazards that they face in their work line include exposure to pesticides and fertilizers which may cause rashes due to their toxic nature. While doing the job, they apply pesticides, dig in fertilized soil, and harvest those same plants which they previously doused with poison. In such uncertain conditions, it’s not shocking that many die and fall sick each year.

Farmworker Appreciation Day is a perfect day to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by the farm workers and remind us to be thankful for all they’ve done.