This week we appreciate the essential work of our farmworkers nationwide. FWAF participates with an online campaign, a webinar and free health clinics.
FWAF general coordinator Nezahualcoyotl “Neza” Xiuhtecutli: “Most people don’t think about farmworkers because we don’t see them. It is out of sight, out of mind. This week is an invitation to grow your awareness of the essential work that they do and of the challenges they face as workers, immigrants and as part of a rural population. Let’s not forget that our food system continues to rely on imported labor.”
Farmwork unskilled? Think again!
FWAF Homestead Area Organizer Claudia Gonzalez speaks from experience when she emphasizes that farmwork takes a lot of skill. “For example picking okra at 3 am to avoid the heat or protecting yourself from okra skin irritation or from the sharp thorns that line lemon trees. I tried it but I couldn’t work fast enough to make a living.”
Free health clinics
FWAF participates in this week with an online campaign and with free health clinics at several of our offices. Farmworkers have limited access to healthcare and are paying the cost of health inequity. They often have to travel long distances to get to a healthcare facility. Many are dependent on others for transportation.
Webinar “What you can do to support Farmworkers”
On March 29th we invite you to tune in to the webinar What you can do to support Farmworkers. FWAF’s coordinator of Pesticide Safety and the Environmental Health Program, Jeannie Economos, is one of the speakers.
Cesar Chavez Day
Another facet of this week is Cesar Chavez Day. On March 31st, his birthday, we honor his life and work as a civil rights and labor movement activist.
Donate today for a just community
With your help we can continue to fight for a world where farmworkers’ contribution, dignity, and worth are acknowledged, appreciated, and respected through economic, social, and environmental justice. This vision includes farmworkers being treated as equals, and not exploited and discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, gender, or immigrant or socioeconomic status. Thank you for your support!
