Tough Enough to Farm? Prove it, Says Colbert

Keeping a small garden in good enough shape to produce some decent edibles is hard enough for me. I tip my hat to farmworkers picking fruit or harvesting grains for a living. They work long, difficult hours under trying conditions and the pay isn’t exactly great.

Stephen Colbert from Comedy Central’s Colbert Report is issuing a challenge to anyone out there who complains about immigrants taking these jobs from those born in the United States. To me, this proposal highlights more than the issues surrounding immigration policy; it also gives a nod of recognition to those who work hard in the field of agriculture.

Thankfully, we have people who are able and willing to take these jobs despite the risks and sometimes paltry rewards; but we should be doing more to protect and support them.

Here’s more on Colbert’s farming challenge from the Seattle Times:

Tired of being targeted by politicians and anti-immigrant activists, farmworkers are teaming up with comedian Stephen Colbert to challenge unemployed Americans: Come on, take our jobs.

The United Farm Workers is encouraging the unemployed — and any Washington, D.C., pundits or anti-immigrant activists — to apply for some of the thousands of agricultural jobs posted with state agencies as harvest season begins.

All applicants need do is fill out an online form under the banner, “I want to be a farmworker” at www.takeour-jobs.org, and experienced field hands will train them and connect them to farms.

More…

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2. Direct Marketing Proves Fruitful In A Tough Economy
3. Rainier Beach Community Makes Plans for Urban Farm

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