Florida farm workers could lose education benefits with U.S. budget cuts

[Judi Lynn]

Florida farm workers could lose education benefits with U.S. budget cuts

By Sandra Hernandez
Staff Writer
Posted July 11 2003

Until five months ago, Cathy Sanchez had never dreamed of a life beyond picking crops.

"I began working as farm worker when I was 12 and it's hard to imagine something else," said Sanchez, 26, of Homestead. "Both my parents were farm workers and I can remember a time when all of my brothers and sisters and me were also working in the fields."

But these days, Sanchez speaks of someday working as a nurse or perhaps in an office.

Sanchez is among the 4,000 Florida farm workers who take part in the federally funded National Farm Worker Jobs Program. It helps field workers who are legal residents learn new skills and move up the economic ladder.

But the program could be a casualty of the current budget battles on Capital Hill.

The Bush Administration has proposed eliminating the program's funding and Democrats are fighting to restore the money. (snip/...)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cfarmworkers11jul11,0,5600879.story?coll=sfla-news-sfla

[rook1]

1. I have to pay

I have to pay for my schooling, why can't she? I don't make much money but I manage to budget it so I can take the classes I need. I don't get any free funds.

[Judi Lynn]

2. I should have included this paragraph

from the article in the snips, no doubt:

(snip) "These programs allow the farm workers, especially those who missed the opportunity to complete their education because of the migrant lifestyle to go back to school or learn another skill." (snip)

[Rose Siding]

3. I don't know about the Florida stats

but I was just reading that in Oregon, even though many workers can find something year round because of a variety of crops, the hs drop out rate is double the national average. Clearly some help is needed to remedy the disadvantage.