The Family Tobacco Farm

Source from:  courant.com December 3, 2005  12/05/2005

Three Generations Of Jarmocs Have Grown Tobacco In Connecticut Five years ago, tobacco farmer and state Rep. Steve Jarmoc, a Democrat representing Enfield, took over the day-to-day management of Jarmoc Farms from his father, Edwin, who continued to work there. A third-generation tobacco farmer, Steve is no stranger to hard work. During tobacco season, he spends from 12 to 15 hours a day working side-by-side with about 150 workers, including 60 migrants from Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Springfield. The Jamaican field hands come to Connecticut each year to harvest tobacco, working very long days, sometimes seven days a week. During tobacco season, which ends in late fall, the workers live in labor camps in Enfield and Somers. At Jarmoc Farms, they harvest 170 acres of broad-leaf tobacco and 42 acres of shade tobacco. Jarmoc, who keeps a suit hanging in his truck, takes time from the farm when the state legislature is in session. Every Friday Jarmoc walks from field to field, handing out the weekly paychecks. After work, the men return to their dorms and take turns preparing food for the next day, or for the entire week. There is little time or energy for fun, except for an occasional game of dominoes. When tobacco season ends, some migrant workers return home while others take jobs picking apples. Enditem