Farm worker housing in Whatcom County
(cont'd) “They’re basically the worst conditions imaginable,” Fisher said. “In some cases the migrants would be better off just camping.”
Washington state regulation of farm worker housing has followed a cyclical pattern over the past 40 years. It wasn’t until 1996 that DOH included licensing as a form of regulation. Now, a farm licensed to build and maintain farm worker housing is required by law to meet minimum standards for building safety and water quality.
But the tide of regulations ebbs and flows.
Fisher said farm worker housing regulation has followed a pattern that goes like this: an outraged public demands reform, legislation is presented, rules are written, and money is granted for enforcement. Then things die down, regulation slacks, and housing conditions disintegrate until the public cries out again.
Licensed to lead an example
In 1998-99, the public made its case. Money was granted to form the farm worker housing program Fisher now manages. Fisher said management changes make it hard to carry on a level of passion and consistency crucial for making significant progress. She said it is normal in a program for people to get burned out or to leave in pursuit of something new. The high turnover means few involved make much progress, and every time someone new is involved they start the process from the beginning.
The DOH has licensed 200 farms, with thousands left uncertified throughout
the state. By comparison, more than 1,000 apple orchards exist in Wenatchee
alone.
Unable to pay for housing, unwilling to be inspected, leery of government or simply ignorant of the rules, many farms with farm worker housing exist without regulation or inspection.
“Of course there are some unlicensed farms with wonderful housing who just don’t want the government on their site, but the majority are really, really bad,” Fisher said.
Ben Craft and Gretchen Hoyt, owners of Alm Hill Gardens in Whatcom County, said they have farm worker housing located on their property, but have no intention of getting a license.
“The less involved you are in the government, the nicer it is,” Hoyt said.
She said all the paperwork and fees that go along with certification aren’t worth the hassle for farmers who have plenty of other priorities. Making a profit, worrying about the weather’s effect on crop yield, meeting organic certification criteria, providing for their own family and treating and paying their farm workers well are just a few of their duties as farm owners.
Hoyt and Craft provide two rental houses to their workers both on and off-season. The larger house can accommodate eight people, Hoyt said, the rent totaling $950 per month. The house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, an entryway and a large living room. She said they have some migrant employees who have been working and living on the farm for over 15 years.
“I’m not going to install gold-plated faucets,” Hoyt said. “But if you’re going to ask that much you’re going to have to provide good housing. It’s quality housing for a reasonable price.” —>
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