Exploring the implications of the Fair Trade USA certification for farm worker health and wellbeing at the first certified farm in the U.S.

Abstract

Decades of interdisciplinary research suggest that fair trade certification may have significant implica­tions for the development of more equitable and sustainable agricultural practices. The certification was originally established to support smallholder farming cooperatives in developing countries. However, a recent organizational division separat­ing Fairtrade International from Fair Trade USA has created a bifurcation in certification standards.[1] Under the new Fair Trade USA program, the first domestic certification standard for U.S.-based farms is now being implemented. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of the new certi­fication on farm operations and farm worker well­being at the first U.S. fair trade-certified farm, from the perspectives of farm workers, farm man­agement, and the supply chain. The initial findings from this limited exploratory study indicate that the certification can be used as a tool to improve farm worker empowerment while also providing mate­rial benefits and resources. More research is needed to determine the long-term impact and feasibility of more widespread impelementation. 1 For the purpose of this paper, fair trade is used to refer generally to the concept, whereas in the case of specific organizations and/or their certifications, other spelling is used. For example, Fair Trade USA and Fair Trade Certification, versus Fairtrade International and Fairtrade Certification.

Keywords

• fair trade
• farm workers
• sustainable agriculture
• agricultural justice
• certification