Growing Safely, Part 1: Navigating Childcare Access and Farm Safety

Many farmworkers, particularly those in rural areas, have faced difficulties finding affordable, reliable childcare options due to the demands of farm work, which often includes long, irregular hours. Rural communities often lack sufficient childcare providers, and those that do exist may be too expensive or lack flexibility to accommodate farmers' schedules. Additionally, farm families may have limited access to public childcare assistance programs, as these are often more geared toward urban populations. The intersection of low wages in agricultural labor and limited social services has compounded these issues. Over time, various advocacy groups and policymakers have worked to highlight the need for better childcare access in farm communities, but challenges remain. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Florence Becot, nationwide insurance early career professor in agricultural safety and health and faculty member at Penn State, whose research may shed light on solutions that could reshape how we think about childcare in rural communities.

Episode Resources

Linking Childcare to Farm Children Safety, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute

Short article: ‘Farm families’ childcare challenges impacting farm businesses’, Penn State University

Picture exhibit ”Childcare challenges on the farm: We can’t fix what we don’t see”, Ohio State University

Short article: ‘When and how to safely involve the children on the farm’, Penn State University