Farmworkers’ living and working conditions are dangerously inadequate. They face extreme poverty, endure dangerous working conditions, and struggle to enter into an immigration system that has historically targeted immigrants of color. The majority of farmworkers in the United States are immigrants from Mexico. The ones who feed America are immigrants of color who are often taken advantage of and exploited for cheap labor.
Our work at the Council focuses on advocating for legislation that enacts equitable and positive change. We are members of the Farmworker Advocacy Network (FAN) Coalition.
Overview
Farmworkers do backbreaking work, often in dangerous conditions for little pay. We believe that everyone, no matter their occupation, should be safe on the job, so we’ve been working to help improve living and working conditions for our state’s thousands of farmworkers for decades.
The Council worked for labor and housing protection for migrant farmworkers when many of them were African-Americans traveling up and down the East Coast. Our commitment to farmworkers has continued even as their demographics have changed to a primarily immigrant Hispanic population. Through all of this work, we live our motto: “Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice.”
Council Resources
FARMWORKER FACTSHEETS
- Faith and Farmworker Resources
- Farmworkers Scriptures
- Farmworkers and Immigration
- US Farmworkers
- Farmworker Economic Contributions
- N.C. Farmworkers
- Farmworker Health
SÍ, SE PUEDE: CELEBRATING HOLY WEEK & NATIONAL FARMWORKER AWARENESS WEEK:
To celebrate Holy Week and National Farmworker Awareness Week, we have prepared a simple packet of resources. In it, you’ll find Bible passages, prayers and responsive readings, and several theological reflections.
Denominational Members’ Resources
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Episcopal Church
United Church of Christ
Gun Violence Prevention Statements
The Council takes positions on issues through policy statements that inform, guide, and frame our work. Policy statements are adopted by our governing body, often upon the recommendation of one or more of the Council’s program committees which are made up of representatives of our member bodies.
Gun Violence Prevention Partner Organizations
Below is a list of our partners statewide with a link to their website for more information:
Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO
Farmworker Unit, Legal Aid North Carolina
East Coast Migrant Head Start Project
Episcopal Farmworker Ministry
NC Farmworker Health Program
NC Farmworker Project
NC Field
Student Action with Farmworkers
Toxic Free NC
Western NC Workers’ Center
Ways to Take Action
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FARMWORKER ADVOCACY NETWORK (FAN)
If you are an organization interested in working to improve the living and working conditions of farmworkers and poultry workers in North Carolina, click here to become a member of FAN!
HOST A BELOVED NEIGHBOR TRAINING PROGRAM.
Episcopal Farmworker Ministry invites community groups and congregations, to host Beloved Neighbors, a training program about history, race, and immigration. This training opens a space where your community and immigrants from rural NC can learn from each other, while reflecting about power and privilege in the context of our agricultural system. Participants will walk away with a new perspective about the issues faced by immigrants, and with new tools to enact positive social change.
WITNESS FOR JUSTICE: A FARMWORKER UNIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Farmworker Unit is a statewide project of Legal Aid of North Carolina committed to providing high-quality civil legal services to address the special legal needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina. Join the Witness for Justice (WfJ) program to accompany outreach teams on visits to migrant labor camps.