The variable English measures the capability to speak English, and does not include
English reading skills. The variable is a discrete variable ranging from 1 to 4, where 1= not
speaking English at all, 2 = speak a little English, 3 = somewhat able to speak English, and 4 =
speaking good English.
Hispanic is a dummy variable for Hispanic which includes Mexican-American, Mexican,
Chicano, Puerto Rican, and other Hispanic ethnic groups. Black (or African American) and White
are also dummy variables derived from a question regarding their race which may also be
American Indian/Alaka Native, Indigenous, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or others.
Age was calculated from the difference between the date of interview and the date of birth, except
for the questionnaire in the earlier years when age was asked directly.
Education is the highest grade level for education, and it ranges from 0 to 20. Experience
is the number of years of doing farm work in the U.S. (not including farm work experience
abroad). Task is the task at the time of interview. Although task is also asked for each period of
work in the past two years, we use only the task at the time of interview for each duration.
Although the original questions have over 100 task codes, tasks are grouped into six categories as
follows: 1 = pre-harvest, 2 = harvest, 3 = post-harvest, 4 = semi-skilled, 5 = supervisor, and 6 =
others. They are argued to be ordered by increasing skill requirements. Seasonal Worker is a
dummy for workers who were working on a seasonal basis for the employer at the time of
interview. Free housing is a dummy variable for workers (or workers and their family) who
receive free housing from their current employer. It does not include those who own the house or
live for free with friends or relatives. It also excludes those who pay for housing provided by
employers or by the government or charity.