Randolph, Vt. — The lives of migrant farm workers in Vermont are oftentimes unseen by the public, but this population of over 1,500 is necessary for a number of the dairy farms throughout the state. In an effort to shed light on the daily struggles of migrant workers, two Middlebury College students have created a documentary called “Hide,” which will be shown at Vermont Tech’s Red School House in Randolph on October 3 at 7 p.m. This film is being offered through the collaboration of Vermont Tech and the Vermont Council on World Affairs Migration Series and will be followed by a panel discussion.
Included in the conversation after the film will be Former VT Secretary of Agriculture and Vermont Tech Senior Scholar in Residence Roger Allbee, VT Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jolinda LaClair, VT Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan and Director of the Vermont Tech Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems, Christopher Dutton. The discussion will also include migrant workers from Vermont farms and the filmmakers, Peter Coccoma and Elori Kramer.
The film follows the lives of eight migrant workers employed at unidentified dairy farms throughout the state of Vermont. For the first time, their daily lives are exposed to a larger audience and viewers get a look into the isolation this population experiences and many of the poor conditions they face. These workers are a vital part of Vermont’s agricultural economy and the film allows viewers to see some of the issues this population is faced with through narration, images, music and more.
“This topic is especially important to us because it highlights both the extremely hard work that is dairy farming and exposes our students to the needs and priorities of several different cultures,” said Dutton. “We are excited to be a part of this critical discussion on agriculture and identity.”
Admission to the film is free of charge. For additional information about the Vermont Council on World Affairs, visit www.vermont.org/vcwa and to learn more about Vermont Tech, go to www.vtc.edu.
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About Vermont Tech – Vermont Tech is the only public institution of higher learning in Vermont whose mission is applied education. One of the five Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Tech serves students from throughout Vermont, New England, and beyond at its two residential campuses in Williston and Randolph Center, regional campuses in Brattleboro and Bennington, and at six nursing campuses located throughout the state. Vermont Tech takes an optimistic, rooted and personal approach to education to support students in gaining the confidence and practical skills necessary to not only see their potential, but to experience it. Our academic programs encompass a wide range of engineering technology, agricultural, health, and business fields that are vital to producing the knowledgeable workers needed most by employers in the state and in the region. www.vtc.edu.