As burley tobacco production grew in the 90's, so did the need for workers to plant, top and harvest the crop. Migrant workers became more important in the production of tobacco by becoming the major labor source for most farmers. Some of the migrants were legal, others not. By being a migrant worker, access to health care was often a cumbersome event. Also, financial strain was, and still is, placed upon the health care system.
Montgomery and Shelby Counties were selected to pilot a “Fund for Rural Development” program which was designed to help migrant workers maintain healthy lives, navigate the often complex health cares system, and assist in helping them to become active in community events. A migrant coalition was organized involving numerous community organizations with the Extension Office, Health Department, and Mary Chiles Hospital being the lead agencies.
As reported last year, the coalition has had several successes including a spanish health care directory, newsletters, EAS classes, day camps, and farm worker health and safety programs. The farm worker health and safety program has grown over the past four years with more than two hundred and fifty participants the fall of 2005. A majority of the participants were migrant workers and lower income farmers in the county. Heath screenings and educational lessons were provided the participants.
The history of the local coalition was a major instrument in allowing the community to be a recipient of a HERSA Rural Health Outreach grant in the amount of $375,000 for a three year program. This program will allow migrant workers access to primary health care and dental care.