Labor Impacts of COVID-19 in U.S. Agriculture: Evidence from the Current Population Survey

Abstract

Early research hypothesized impacts of COVID-19 on agricultural workers, food supply, and rural health systems based on population characteristics from data collected preceding the pandemic. Trends confirmed a vulnerable workforce and limits to field sanitation, housing quality, and healthcare. Less is known about eventual, realized impacts. This article uses the Current Population Survey’s COVID-19 monthly core variables from May 2020 through September 2022 to document actual impacts. Summary statistics and statistical models for the probability of being unable to work reveal that 6 to 8% of agricultural workers were unable to work early in the pandemic and that impacts were disproportionately negative for Hispanics and those with children. An implication is that targeted policies based on vulnerabilities may minimize disparate impacts of a public health shock. Understanding the full impacts of COVID-19 on essential labor remains important for economics, public policy, and food systems in addition to public health.

Age when first employed and retirement wealth of baby boomers

“…From the 3,923 respondents, our two final subsamples include: (1) high school graduates and age 18 or older when first employed (n ϭ 2,211) and (2) college or more and age 22 or older when first employed (n ϭ 883). For the college or more graduates, age 22 was based on the average or median age of current and past college graduation according to the U.S. Census Bureau: currently about 60% of college graduates were ages 22 to 23 when graduating (Spreen, 2013), and the median age when graduating college in 1960 was 22.9 years (U.S. Census Bureau, 1963). In an era when 70% of high school graduates in the U.S. are enrolled in colleges or universities (U.S. Department of Labor, 2016b), focusing on this population who were first employed at age 22 or older can provide more meaningful implications for young college graduates about retirement savings.…”