North Carolina is the second largest producer of Christmas trees in the United States. Migrant labor, predominantly from Mexico, is needed to make the industry viable. However, little is known about the working relationships between this labor pool and the employers. In order to understand the costs and benefits of employer and worker relationships in this industry from their perspectives, this research investigates: 1) How the labor force developed among North Carolina's Christmas tree growers 2) Hiring and training practices of workers 3) The advantages and disadvantages of : a) employing Hispanic labor (from the employer perspective) b) working in the Christmas tree industry (from the laborer perspective) 4) Perceptions of labor policies/programs which affect employers and laborers

Data collection included in-person interviews with approximately 60 Christmas tree growers, laborers, extensionists, and other agency personnel from western North Carolina as well as archival document analysis of employment and demographic statistics from North Carolina's Department of Labor and Employment Security Commission. In addition, a mail survey was sent to the 300 growers in the North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers Association.

The goal of the project is to offer insight into the underlying social, political, and economic causes, costs, and benefits of an increased Hispanic presence in North Carolina's Christmas tree industry. Project findings will provide a reference to professionals addressing Hispanic labor issues in this and other industries in the state