Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

According to the Department of Labor, how is a migrant farmworker defined?

1. A seasonal worker who returns home daily

2. A worker who travels for farm work and has no permanent residence

3. An urban farmer working in community gardens

4. A farmworker who does not change locations frequently

The correct answer is: A worker who travels for farm work and has no permanent residence

The definition of a migrant farmworker as a worker who travels for farm work and has no permanent residence is accurate because it captures the essence of their mobility and lack of stable housing. Migrant farmworkers often move from one location to another in search of agricultural employment, which is typically seasonal. This circumstantial absence of a permanent address underscores the challenges they face, such as unstable living conditions and lack of access to consistent healthcare, which are key concerns in public health. In contrast, seasonal workers who return home daily typically have a more stable living arrangement, which does not align with the migrant lifestyle marked by frequent relocations. Similarly, urban farmers engaged in community gardening do not fall under the definition of migrant farmworkers, as their work is generally localized and involves gardening rather than traditional agricultural labor. Lastly, a farmworker who does not change locations frequently also does not fit the definition since the essence of being a migrant implies a degree of mobility that is not present in workers with stable employment locations. Thus, the correct definition emphasizes the transient nature and housing instability that characterizes the migrant farmworker experience.