In the scorching summers of California’s Imperial Valley, along with the rising sun, Raul Cruz starts his grueling workday chopping and bundling sugarcane long before peak temperatures escalate to life-threatening levels. For 15 years, Cruz has adjusted his schedule to begin working at 4 a.m. to escape the brutal heat, but he admits the mental stress from rising temperatures around 8 a.m. is taxing. This area, known for producing the nation’s winter vegetables, is experiencing dangerously high temperatures due to climate change, raising severe health concerns for farmworkers who are increasingly vulnerable to heat stress. Recent studies by researchers from San Diego State University focus on understanding the health consequences of heat exposure for these workers and the corresponding rural heat islands that may exacerbate conditions for laborers. Project leader Nicolas Lopez-Galvez emphasizes the urgent need for better guidelines and protections as many workers face dire circumstances under extreme weather. As the changing climate intensifies and heat-related illnesses spike, many are advocating for improved regulations and more enforceable policies to protect those who feed the nation.