Abstract

Public Participation GIS Research and Agricultural Farmworkers in California
Track: Health and Human Services
Author(s): Sheila Steinberg, Steven Steinberg, Josef Eckert, Jennifer Kauffman

This project employs a mixed-method sociospatial approach to studying agricultural worker health issues in rural California. Sociospatial means considering space, place and social indicators in a holistic and integrated fashion (Steinberg and Steinberg 2007). The California Center for Rural Policy, funded from the California Endowment, worked in partnership with Poder Popular, a community-based networked group to empower farmworker communities throughout the state of California. We created sociospatial maps that highlight the interplay between environmental and social issues for farmworkers in the region. The project equally involves both environmental mapping of pesticide use and application rates and qualitative data related to farmworker health concerns, issues and patterns of social interaction in Monterey and Tulare counties. Methods used include key-informant interviews, field tours and participatory community mapping. We highlight how community-based participatory research approach is a means to understand community members interests and knowledge about pesticides.

Sheila Steinberg
California Center for Rural Policy
Humboldt State University
1 Harpst Street
Arcata , California 95521
United States
Phone: 707-826-3402
Fax: 707-826-3403
E-mail: ss51@humboldt.edu

Steven Steinberg
Institute for Spatial Analysis
Humboldt State University
1 Harpst Street
Arcata , California 95521
United States
Phone: 707-826-3202
Fax: 707-826-4145
E-mail: gis@humboldt.edu

Josef Eckert
Humboldt State University
Institute for Spatial Analysis
Arcata , California 95521
United States
Phone: 707-826-5417
E-mail: joeeckertsd@gmail.com

Jennifer Kauffman
Humboldt State University
Institute for Spatial Analysis
Arcata , California 95521
United States
Phone: 707-826-5417
E-mail: jennifer.kauffman00@gmail.com