Fairer farms in the USA: Exploring the implications of the Fair Trade USA certification for farmer 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 implementation.