For thousands of families, the winter harvest season brings economic hope, but for the women who cross the border to work the fields, it is a life defined by early mornings, extreme heat and economic necessity.
The harvest season, which typically runs from September through mid-February, began early this year, with crews heading into the fields on Sept. 12. For many, this work represents a critical source of consistent income.
Norma Franklin, an agricultural foreman and bus driver known as "La Hermana," has worked in the fields for more than 50 years.
"When I was 14, I used to go to school, take vacations and go to work," Franklin said. "And since then, I’ve been in this just field, field, field. But I like it. When I’m home, I get desperate."
For younger workers like Daniela Hernandez, the commute is a daily challenge. The 26-year-old lives in San Luis, Mexico, and crosses the border into Arizona each morning. She said she reaches the border line at 1:40 a.m. and waits about an hour before standing in another line to catch a bus by 4 a.m.
This is Hernandez's first year working in the United States. She said the environment is starkly different from working in Mexico, largely due to the pay disparity. While she earns about $750 a week in the U.S. fields, she said the pay in Mexico is roughly 2,800 pesos, or about $150, per week.
"It’s very different, a different environment to work for," Hernandez said.
Workdays are often dictated by the weather. With the harvest beginning during a stretch of intense heat this September, workers faced difficult conditions. Under California’s Cal/OSHA high-heat rules, field workers are entitled to a 30-minute break every two hours when working under the sun.
Franklin noted that she frequently reminds her crew to prioritize hydration.
"Because the heat is so strong, I tell my crew that if we feel sick, we should take a break, have some electrolytes and water, and hydrate," Franklin said.
The dedication of these workers is evident, even among those past retirement age, such as 73-year-old Bertha Castro. Franklin said she often finds that female crews are more reliable than their male counterparts.
"They’re more obligated," Franklin said. "Guys sometimes skip work days, and women don’t."
Despite their commitment, women farmworkers face significant risks. Estimates from the University of Washington suggest that 70% to 95% of female farmworkers experience sexual harassment in the workplace. Franklin, who leads her crew, said she takes her role seriously, aiming to foster a safe environment for the women working alongside her.
For veteran workers like 60-year-old Carmen Luque, who has worked the fields for 16 years, the season provides essential benefits, including eligibility for unemployment insurance when the work ends. As she approaches the end of her final season before retirement, she reflects on the demanding nature of the job.
"The benefit is that we work, and we get unemployment because we qualify," Luque said.
