Documenting the experiences of migrant farm workers in the Western Colorado fruit growing industry
Western Region
Mesa
County
- Health and Well-Being
- Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
Primary Topic:
Health and Well-Being
Other Topics:
Food and Agriculture
Internship Overview:
The intern will develop new knowledge concerning the experiences of migrant farm workers in the Western Colorado fruit and wine industries. Palisade Colorado is famous for its peaches and vineyards. These labor-intensive agricultural sectors are important economic drivers for Mesa County and are largely dependent on the 500 temporary workers who migrate to Western Colorado each growing season. Despite perceptions of who makes up a “migrant workforce,” many of the workers are recruited to return year after year. As a result, they hold an immense amount of knowledge about the experience of being a migrant worker in the fruit industry, challenges of navigating the cultural differences in the community, and most effective ways the Western Slope community can support their physical, social and emotional well-being.
Documenting these experiences and knowledge will: 1) help scholars seeking to gain a better understanding of the cultural and social navigation migrant workers face in the U.S.; 2) identify gaps in care or services and inform practitioners on how to better serve migrant workers’ needs; 3) educate and engage the general public around the needs and experiences of migrant workers in Western Colorado.
The intern will work with a local community organization to gather information from primarily Spanish-speaking migrant farm workers and synthesize the information into narratives that can be used to support scholars and inform community practitioners and general audiences. Applicants to this internship must be conversant in Spanish and English. Experience in qualitative research methods is preferred.
Documenting these experiences and knowledge will: 1) help scholars seeking to gain a better understanding of the cultural and social navigation migrant workers face in the U.S.; 2) identify gaps in care or services and inform practitioners on how to better serve migrant workers’ needs; 3) educate and engage the general public around the needs and experiences of migrant workers in Western Colorado.
The intern will work with a local community organization to gather information from primarily Spanish-speaking migrant farm workers and synthesize the information into narratives that can be used to support scholars and inform community practitioners and general audiences. Applicants to this internship must be conversant in Spanish and English. Experience in qualitative research methods is preferred.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
The goal of this internship is to increase knowledge about the experiences of migrant farm workers in the Western Colorado fruit growing industry. This information will be used to: inform scholars seeking to gain a better understanding of the cultural and social navigation migrant workers face in the U.S.; 2) identify gaps in care or services and inform practitioners on how to better serve migrant workers’ needs; 3) and translate migrant interviews into engaging narratives that can be shared with the general public to engage and educate them around the needs and experiences of migrant workers in Western Colorado.
The intern will work with CSU to develop the research methodology and community partners to connect with primarily Spanish-speaking migrant laborers. The intern will document the research in formats that are appropriate for multiple audiences.
The intern will work with CSU to develop the research methodology and community partners to connect with primarily Spanish-speaking migrant laborers. The intern will document the research in formats that are appropriate for multiple audiences.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
Fruit industry laborers
Community Partners, including, but not limited to Child and Migrant Services and Marillac Clinic
CSU Agriculture Experiment Station
Growers within fruit industry
Community Partners, including, but not limited to Child and Migrant Services and Marillac Clinic
CSU Agriculture Experiment Station
Growers within fruit industry
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
The intern will practice self-directed learning skills through experiential education in authentic settings; evaluated through a pre/post assessment of pre-identified key skills and learning/practice goals including:
(1) Working with a migrant community to better understand their experiences around cultural diversity and navigating gatekeepers, capturing their aspirations, and how to support their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.
(2) Field work in applying qualitative research methods
The Intern will develop key communication skills related to expanding awareness and increasing visibility of migrant worker experiences in Western Colorado; evaluated through:
(1) Creation and distribution of engaging narratives, including determining target audience, communication goal, appropriate channel(s), and/or potential promotional partners; possible outlets include CSU public facing channels, Western Colorado community services that support farmworkers, and organically generated news, radio, and social media stories.
(2) Summary and synthesis of thematic results in a white paper or executive report to share with scholars and practitioners
(1) Working with a migrant community to better understand their experiences around cultural diversity and navigating gatekeepers, capturing their aspirations, and how to support their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.
(2) Field work in applying qualitative research methods
The Intern will develop key communication skills related to expanding awareness and increasing visibility of migrant worker experiences in Western Colorado; evaluated through:
(1) Creation and distribution of engaging narratives, including determining target audience, communication goal, appropriate channel(s), and/or potential promotional partners; possible outlets include CSU public facing channels, Western Colorado community services that support farmworkers, and organically generated news, radio, and social media stories.
(2) Summary and synthesis of thematic results in a white paper or executive report to share with scholars and practitioners
