Chapter 12 Labor and gender issues in horticulture
by Alina Gombert and Cory Whitney
12.1 Materials
We will start with a mini lecture on gender and another mini lecture on work. We will have activities related to the two papers in on our shared sciebo folder to access them you will need the module password from eCampus:
Contzen, S., & Forney, J. (2017). Family farming and gendered division of labour on the move: a typology of farming-family configurations. Agriculture and human values, 34(1), 27-40. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10460-016-9687-2 here
Neef, A. (2020). Legal and social protection for migrant farm workers: lessons from COVID-19. Agriculture and Human Values, 37, 641-642. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10460-020-10086-w here
To prepare for the session please watch the videos on Gender and Labor that are shared in this sciebo folder.
We will facilitate the activities so that there is room for personal exchange. We will create a space where you are able to link your personal experiences to the papers and reflect on any differences or similarities.
12.1.1 Questions
- What are three important take aways about gender on farms?
- What are the most important drivers of migrant labor in horticulture in Germany?
- What is important about seasonal workers for German horticulture?
- What can you say about the gender gap in agricultural careers? Is there a trend and what does this trend look like across the horticulture/ agriculture field?
- What is circular migration and how does that apply to horticulture in Germany?
12.1.2 Additional materials
Seasonal work:
King, Russell, Aija Lulle, and Emilia Melossi. “New perspectives on the agriculture–migration nexus.” Journal of Rural Studies 85 (2021): 52-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.05.004 here
Fiałkowska, Kamila, and Kamil Matuszczyk. “Safe and fruitful? Structural vulnerabilities in the experience of seasonal migrant workers in agriculture in Germany and Poland.” Safety Science 139 (2021): 105275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105275 here
Hess, Sebastian, et al. “Explaining path dependence through discourse analysis: The case of seasonal farm workers in Germany.” The hidden dynamics of path dependence. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2010. 197-216. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057%2F9780230274075_12.pdf here
12.2 Instructions
We will work together online for this lecture so please show up for the zoom and come prepared to share in activities related to the literature for discussion.
12.3 Literature for discussion
Contzen, S., & Forney, J. (2017). Family farming and gendered division of labour on the move: a typology of farming-family configurations. Agriculture and human values, 34(1), 27-40. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10460-016-9687-2 here
Neef, A. (2020). Legal and social protection for migrant farm workers: lessons from COVID-19. Agriculture and Human Values, 37, 641-642. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10460-020-10086-w here
12.4 Term paper topics
18. The contribution of horticulture to the Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on SDG 5 ‘Gender Equality’
Alina Gombert, Cory Whitney
The role that horticultural production plays in the achievement of SDG 5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.” Women and girls, everywhere, must have equal rights and opportunities, and be able to live free of violence and discrimination. Your paper will be a state-of-the-art overview of the current literature on horticultural production and the role that it plays in the achievement of this goal. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5
19. The contribution of horticulture to the Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on SDG 8 ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’
Alina Gombert, Cory Whitney
The role that horticultural production plays in the achievement SDG 8 “Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all” - in particular SDG 8.8 “Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants, and those in precarious employment.” Horticulture is one of the most labor-intensive sectors of agriculture. Your paper will be a state-of-the-art overview of the current literature on horticultural production and the role that it plays in the achievement of this goal. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal8