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About [Edit]
Our Mission
Our mission is to work toward a rural California that is socially just, economically viable, and environmentally balanced. Each of these elements is integral to the larger goal of sustainable development. As a non-profit research organization, we are committed to pursuing these long-term goals through sound empirical research that is directly relevant to progressive social change. While our commitment to the scientific method is at the foundation of our credibility, we recognize the inescapable role that values play in shaping the fundamental questions that researchers pose. Our philosophy of science is therefore based on the principle that scientific inquiry should consciously serve the long-term public interest.
Our Work
Like many other agricultural regions of the world, rural California, and the Central Valley in particular, face deep-rooted barriers to sustainable development that have been inadequately addressed by public policy. CIRS has constructively responded to these challenges by focusing on a comprehensive range of research topics including immigration reform, immigrant civic participation, labor law enforcement, rural health, pesticide use, and water policy. In keeping with its public-service approach to research, CIRS disseminates its research findings to policy makers, stakeholder organizations, and the general public at large.
In addition to being the first non-profit research organization in the state to focus on rural and agricultural issues, CIRS takes particular pride in forging beneficial relationships with stakeholder organizations while at the same time maintaining the respect and cooperation of research institutions in the state. Agencies and policy makers also look to CIRS for substantive analyses of current public policy issues. Our longstanding ties to community-based organizations in rural California are critical to our success in conducting sound empirical research among difficult to access populations such as hired farmworkers.
The Challenge of California Agriculture
The agricultural industry is becoming dominated by larger farms producing labor-intensive crops, thus requiring a large hired labor force. Due to the low wages and difficult working conditions that prevail in agriculture, this labor force is almost entirely foreign born. Our research on farm labor markets addresses the problems in this industry and proposes solutions in order to influence public policy. We seek to promote better lives and working conditions for California`s farmworkers, while maintaining a healthy agricultural economy.
Rural California suffers from a lack of jobs and its agricultural sector faces heightened international competition. The region is currently characterized by rapid population growth and slow economic growth. Our research on rural economic development issues seeks to promote appropriate, sustainable economic growth.
At the California Institute for Rural Studies we recognize the delicate interrelations between production, worker, and environment. We believe that without a balance between agriculture, environment, and community it is impossible to maintain a productive and just society.
Current Projects
CIRS`s research and evaluation expertise covers a broad range of agricultural and farmworker issues. Our primary areas of focus include:
Sustainable Agriculture
Rural Communities and Immigrant Welfare
Farmworker Health and Safety
Our mission is to work toward a rural California that is socially just, economically viable, and environmentally balanced. Each of these elements is integral to the larger goal of sustainable development. As a non-profit research organization, we are committed to pursuing these long-term goals through sound empirical research that is directly relevant to progressive social change. While our commitment to the scientific method is at the foundation of our credibility, we recognize the inescapable role that values play in shaping the fundamental questions that researchers pose. Our philosophy of science is therefore based on the principle that scientific inquiry should consciously serve the long-term public interest.
Our Work
Like many other agricultural regions of the world, rural California, and the Central Valley in particular, face deep-rooted barriers to sustainable development that have been inadequately addressed by public policy. CIRS has constructively responded to these challenges by focusing on a comprehensive range of research topics including immigration reform, immigrant civic participation, labor law enforcement, rural health, pesticide use, and water policy. In keeping with its public-service approach to research, CIRS disseminates its research findings to policy makers, stakeholder organizations, and the general public at large.
In addition to being the first non-profit research organization in the state to focus on rural and agricultural issues, CIRS takes particular pride in forging beneficial relationships with stakeholder organizations while at the same time maintaining the respect and cooperation of research institutions in the state. Agencies and policy makers also look to CIRS for substantive analyses of current public policy issues. Our longstanding ties to community-based organizations in rural California are critical to our success in conducting sound empirical research among difficult to access populations such as hired farmworkers.
The Challenge of California Agriculture
The agricultural industry is becoming dominated by larger farms producing labor-intensive crops, thus requiring a large hired labor force. Due to the low wages and difficult working conditions that prevail in agriculture, this labor force is almost entirely foreign born. Our research on farm labor markets addresses the problems in this industry and proposes solutions in order to influence public policy. We seek to promote better lives and working conditions for California`s farmworkers, while maintaining a healthy agricultural economy.
Rural California suffers from a lack of jobs and its agricultural sector faces heightened international competition. The region is currently characterized by rapid population growth and slow economic growth. Our research on rural economic development issues seeks to promote appropriate, sustainable economic growth.
At the California Institute for Rural Studies we recognize the delicate interrelations between production, worker, and environment. We believe that without a balance between agriculture, environment, and community it is impossible to maintain a productive and just society.
Current Projects
CIRS`s research and evaluation expertise covers a broad range of agricultural and farmworker issues. Our primary areas of focus include:
Sustainable Agriculture
Rural Communities and Immigrant Welfare
Farmworker Health and Safety
