Working Bodies: A Photo Essay on Tulare County Citrus Workers

Many a times, when people think about their food, they think about origins. Where did it come from? Was it hygienic? Were the animals treated humanely? They seldom include the workers in their thought process, though the workers of the Ag industry provide what is arguably a vital part of the Ag industry. They do back-breaking labor in often lethal conditions for little pay (NFWM). The families of these workers often suffer economically, physically, and emotionally. In Tulare County, one of the top Agricultural counties in the country, the agricultural worker is often below the poverty line (Taylor, 2015). They often live in subsidized housing and likely lack access to proper healthcare. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, six out of ten farm workers were here undocumented. This often presents issues of unreported inhumane treatment of the workers. This project will explore the lives of the citrus workers, their stories, and the inadequacies they often live through while helping sustain an ever-growing population.