Childcare and early childhood education have gained significant attention within farm policy priorities, as both the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union recognize their importance. The inclusion of childcare in the Farm Bill agenda is a result of valuable research conducted by experts like Florence Becot, Ph.D., and her colleagues, who aim to support the health, safety, and economic viability of farming populations. Policymakers, responding to bipartisan support, are considering measures to improve access to affordable and quality rural childcare.
In a recent national survey conducted by Becot and Shoshana Inwood, Ph.D., the challenges faced by farm families regarding childcare were revealed. The survey gathered responses from over 860 families across 47 states, indicating that 77% of farm families with children under 18 encounter difficulties in securing childcare due to issues related to affordability, availability, or quality. It was further found that 48% of respondents believe that affordable childcare is essential for the growth and sustainability of their farm businesses.
Contrary to some misconceptions, the research affirms that childcare is indeed a problem within the farm sector, as reported by farm parents themselves. The notion that farmers solely rely on family assistance for childcare is also debunked, with nearly half of the respondents expressing that their own parents were unavailable to help due to various reasons such as busy schedules, declining health, or passing away. Moreover, the study highlights the potential hazards of agricultural worksites, with 97% of farm parents expressing concern about the safety of their children in such environments.
By prioritizing childcare in the Farm Bill, policymakers can address the childcare challenges faced by farm families and contribute to the well-being and success of agricultural communities.
Source : wisconsinagconnection