Understanding Housing Lingo: Farmworker Housing and Its Importance in Our Community
By Matthew Havniear, Deputy Director
Welcome back to our Housing Information Series! Today, we’re diving into another important topic: Housing for Farmworkers, from Matthew Havinear, JCC LTRG Deputy Director
History of Farmworkers in Southern Oregon
Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of Oregon’s economy, with a farmworker community that dates back to the 1940s. During this time, the Bracero Program—which translates to “helping hands”—brought thousands of Latino farmworkers to Oregon from Mexico between 1941 and 1964, addressing the labor shortages caused by World War II. While the Bracero Program had a statewide impact, Southern Oregon, particularly the Rogue Valley, has its own unique history within this context.
In the Rogue Valley, farmers valued the braceros’ hard work and embraced Mexican culture through efforts like providing culturally specific foods and hosting Cinco de Mayo celebrations. By the time the program ended in 1964, many farmworkers and their families had settled in the region. Today, over 40,000 farmworkers, both permanent and seasonal, are vital to Southern Oregon’s economic success.
Who is a Farmworker?
According to Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and the USDA outlined in HB-1-3560 Attachment 12-A, a farmworker is defined as anyone involved in activities such as cultivating the soil, raising, or harvesting farm or aquacultural commodities. This can also include catching, handling, planting, drying, packing, grading, storing, or preserving these commodities in their unprocessed form, as well as delivering them to storage, market, or for transportation. Farmworkers also contribute to the forestry industry through tasks like planting and thinning trees, clearing brush, and participating in forestation and reforestation efforts. Additionally, individuals who were previously engaged in farm labor but are now retired or disabled still qualify as farmworkers, as long as they were involved in farm work at the time of retirement or disability.
Three key categories of farmworkers:
Permanent Farmworker: A permanent farmworker earns their primary income from Farm labor, typically receiving a year-round salary or wage.
Seasonal Farmworker: A seasonal farmworker works in agriculture for at least 25 days per year and earns at least $400 in that period. Their employment is typically seasonal, without a constant year-round wage.
Migrant Farmworker: A migrant farmworker is a type of seasonal farmworker whose work requires travel far enough that they are unable to return to their permanent home each day. These workers set up temporary residences in different locations depending on where their work takes them.
Why Housing for Farmworkers is Vital
Housing for farmworkers is essential to ensuring that those who sustain our local and regional food supply have access to safe, affordable, and quality living spaces. This need is especially critical in Southern Oregon, where affordable housing is limited, and wildfires have exacerbated the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Despite being the backbone of our food system, farmworkers are often among the most underserved when it comes to housing, facing obstacles such as seasonal work patterns and income that struggle to keep pace with rising living costs.
Housing initiatives designed specifically for farmworkers not only protect these families,they support the agricultural economy by providing workers with stable, reliable housing near their places of employment. Secure housing is linked to better health, increased job performance, and stronger community integration, all of which contribute to a more resilient local economy and community.
Affordable Housing for Farmworker Families in Medford
A recent example of housing developed to support farmworkers is Camino Colibri by Casa of Oregon and Coalición Fortaleza in Medford. This housing provides 34 units for farmworker families, specifically designed to be affordable for those earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and who meet the definition of farmworkers. Camino Colibri prioritizes farmworkers who were impacted by the wildfires. It’s important to highlight that the fire survivors must first meet the definition of farmworker provided above.
For a detailed explanation of Understanding the Area Median Income (AMI), you can refer to “Understanding Area Median Income “AMI”” in the Understanding Housing Lingo Blog
Supporting Our Farmworker Community
Ensuring access to housing for farmworkers is vital to safeguarding the well-being of those who sustain our agricultural system. Housing projects like Camino Colibri provide not only a secure living space but also enhance our community’s economic and social resilience. By understanding the qualifications for farm laborer housing and the structure of these programs, we can more effectively support this essential workforce.
If you know of farmworkers in need of housing and would like to apply for Camino Colibri you may do so by contacting the property manager Cascade Management Inc. by phone at (541) 897-3057 or by email at or if needing in-person help with the application process, please contact Jocksana Corona at Coalición Fortaleza by calling 541-236-5605.