Including Farmers' Voices in the Farm Labour Debate

While promoting sustainable agricultural, it is important to both address the many challenges to farming sustainably in Ontario and envision a comprehensive food ethic. One of the greatest challenges and unjust aspects of farming pertains to farm labour. Working within a Gramscian perspective, inclusive of food justice and just labour frameworks, this paper will explore whether the systemic factors leading to vulnerable conditions for both farmers and farm workers can be addressed simultaneously. The naming the moment political analysis, inspired by Gramsci, requires the current conjuncture to be explored. This paper presents exploratory research, based on qualitative interviews with nine farmers operating small-­‐ and medium-­‐scale sustainable farms in Ontario. By including farmers in the discussion, and placing farm labour within the broader food and labour juncture, we can better understand the use of precarious workers in agriculture as indicative of a broken food system. Workers, activists and researchers must continue their attempts to define just farm labour within the current moment to suggest steps toward a desirable future. Recognizing the precariousness of farmers, in addition to workers, and seeking cross-­‐sector alliances offers an example of a step towards more just farm labour conditions for all.