The agricultural economy in the United States has relied heavily on migrant farmworkers and, in particular, on Latinos. However, migrant families remain one of the most disadvantaged groups in the United States. This research focuses on a subsample of migrant families of Mexican origin (n ¼ 13), who participated in the Rural Families Speak multistate study. Qualitative findings described numerous challenges that Mexican-origin migrant families continue to experience. Results were also illustrative of the resilience of migrant families, which is influenced by specific Latino cultural values and is reflected in the successful adaptation of these families to the challenges associated with a migrant lifestyle.

A number of questions evolve around the best mechanism for using technology to support families and give voice to their special needs and interests across the life course. This article describes the processes and challenges involved in developing a longitudinal online data collection system and building an online community. While research is beginning to emerge which describes how families use the Internet for knowledge acquisition, this project is unique in its attempt to engage families as producers and consumers of knowledge, in addition to being partners in the process of developing an online community.