Farmers' and Farm Workers' Movements
Author: Mooney, Patrick H.
Date Published: 1995
This book highlights the drama of certain events and the courage and charisma of the individuals who have participated in these movements. The constantly changing face of America's agricultural economy over the past 250 years has compelled two distinct segments of society to mobilize-farmers and farm workers. Although both movements began at the grassroots level and have proved crucial to their members' financial livelihoods, their different class bases have separated them in terms of power, resources, organization, and objectives. Whereas farmer movements have generally sought to change government policy or the policies of banks and other large enterprises that have adversely affected small farmers, most farm worker movements-given the poverty, migrant-work patterns, and immigrant and minority status of many of their members-have primarily sought to establish more stable, productive, and humane working conditions.
Date Published: 1995
This book highlights the drama of certain events and the courage and charisma of the individuals who have participated in these movements. The constantly changing face of America's agricultural economy over the past 250 years has compelled two distinct segments of society to mobilize-farmers and farm workers. Although both movements began at the grassroots level and have proved crucial to their members' financial livelihoods, their different class bases have separated them in terms of power, resources, organization, and objectives. Whereas farmer movements have generally sought to change government policy or the policies of banks and other large enterprises that have adversely affected small farmers, most farm worker movements-given the poverty, migrant-work patterns, and immigrant and minority status of many of their members-have primarily sought to establish more stable, productive, and humane working conditions.
