January 2020
NFWM News & Actions
In this issue:
  • Nan Freeman Memorial Service: Jan. 24, Sarasota, Fla.
  • Farm Labor Workforce Modernization Act
  • Save the Date! CIW Mobilization, March 10-12, New York City
  • FLOC Update
  • OCIC Holds SUCCESSFUL Fall Fundraiser 2019
  • NFWM Update: NFWM Welcomes Kate Hamman!
  • Gary Massoni, 1942-2019
  • Want to be a Harvester of Justice?

Remembering
Nan Freeman

Join us in remembering Nan Freeman, a young Jewish woman who gave her life for
farm workers.


Friday, Jan. 24, 2 p.m. at New College in Sarasota, Fla.

Nan Freeman, the 18‐year old Florida college student from Massachusetts who gave her life picketing with striking sugar cane workers in central Florida in 1972 will be remembered with a panel discussion and memorial service on her New College campus in Sarasota, Fla. at 2 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2020. Nan volunteered with the United Farm Workers on campus and joined striking farm workers at the Talisman Sugar Plant, picketing north of Belle Glade, Fla. when, at 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 25, 1972, a double trailer truck with 70,000 pounds of struck sugar cane raced into the entrance and crushed her to death.

The loss of such a promising young woman was a blow to her family and friends, and the farm worker movement. Forty‐eight years later, “we wonder what Nan would have been because...everyone says she would have done something fabulous,” says her sister, Elizabeth Freeman. “To us she is a sister who picketed with farm workers in the middle of the night because of her love for justice,” Cesar Chavez wrote, adding, “Nan is   Kadosha   in the Hebrew tradition, a holy person to be honored and remembered.”

Please join us in remembering Nan Freeman’s sacrifice at a panel discussion and memorial service with her family and friends, the United Farm Workers, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, National Farm Worker Ministry and Young American Dreamers:

2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24, 2020
CEO Lounge in the Jane Bancroft Cool Library
New College of Florida
5800 Bay Shore Rd.
Sarasota, Fla. 34243


(Parking in the lot south of College Dr. on west side of campus.)

If you’d like to attend or have questions about the event: contact Kenny S. at kennysnodgrass@att.net


If you are unable to attend, please pause for a moment to pray/reflect at 2:00 p.m. on the 24th.


For more about Nan Freeman   :





Legislative Update
U.S. Capitol Dome
As a ministry that supports all farm worker organizing groups and farm workers everywhere, we have wanted to see a path to U.S. citizenship for farm workers and we have advocated for significant improvements to the H-2A guest worker program. Last fall a new bill was introduced in Congress, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 ( https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4916 ). This bi-partisan bill combines much of what we promoted last year as the “blue card” bill with a path to citizenship for farm workers.

The UFW, UFW Foundation ( https://ufw.org/immigrationact/ ), and Farmworker Justice ( https://bit.ly/2tf98K1 ) ( PDF ) helped to negotiate this legislation over many months, and PCUN and FLOC have also endorsed it. Some of our farm worker partners, however, have expressed concern about the bill and, particularly, the inclusion of e-verify ( https://civileats.com/2019/12/11/immigrants-lift-up-a-food-system-in-need-of-reform and http://familiasunidasjusticia.org/en/2019/11/25/familias-unidas-initial-position-on-the-farmworker-modernization-act-of-2019 ).

On December 11 th , the Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed the House of Representatives and moved on to the Senate for consideration. It has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee at this point so there is time to contact state Senators and ask them to forward this bill’s path to citizenship, improve regulations in the H-2A Guest worker visa program and remove e-verify. We will continue to monitor this legislation and provide updates.
FLOC Update
FLOC Protests Whole Foods
FLOC is joining forces to demand that Whole Foods clean up the labor practices in its supply chain.

When Oxfam, a nonprofit working to end the injustice of poverty, assessed human rights violations, it found major concerns with Whole Foods. It scored Whole Foods below Walmart in its supermarket chains. What is disappointing is that Whole Foods is considered a humane company and a sustainable grocer that features locally grown and organic products. It could lead the industry but there are problems with how farm workers are treated in its supply chain. https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/something-rotten-whole-foods/

As a farm worker union, FLOC organizes farm workers, some of the most exploited workers in our country. They speak to growers, but also companies who have farm workers in their supply chain. The first three-way collective bargaining agreement was brokered by FLOC in 1986 when they signed a contract with Campbell’s Soup Company, growers and farm workers. Building on that experience, they also facilitated an agreement between Mt. Olive Pickles and the North Carolina Growers Association in 2004.

FLOC is constantly speaking for farm workers about collective bargaining, fair wages, and decent working/living conditions. They have asked Whole Foods to meet with them to talk about this but Whole Foods has refused. Now they are working with Oxfam and the Teamsters Union to address this. It led them on January 16 to protest at the headquarters of Whole Foods in Austin, TX, and at the headquarters of Amazon, owner of Whole Foods, based in Seattle, WA.

The Teamsters are in this because the contract they worked out with UNFI, Whole Foods’ partner, is not being honored. Before the holidays, workers were laid off and UNFI refused to protect the workers’ rights.

Watch the video about seeking workers rights,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7s5wKw3_r8&t=24s


Currently, FLOC is working on a petition which will demonstrate to these companies how much consumer support is behind FLOC, Oxfam and the Teamsters. NFWM will promote this when it becomes available. Right now, if you are a church or have a community event in North Carolina or Ohio, contact us so we can connect you to a speaker from FLOC.
OCIC Fall Fundraiser 2019
OCIC Banner
Sunday evening, November 10, 2019, the Orange County Interfaith Committee to Aid Farm Workers (OCIC), now in its 54th year, held its annual fundraiser for the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA. With over 120 in attendance, they were able to send $5600 to the NFWM! Special thanks to Pam Presnall for promotions and registration, Gerri McNenny for the silent auction, and Deborah Mayhew (moderator of Los Ranchos Presbytery and member of St. Mark) for rehearsing fourth graders in a skit about a visitation from César Chávez and also served as the photographer of the evening. Irene Arellano produced a Day of the Dead altar honoring Chávez and other farm workers who died in the fields.

After viewing the NFWM video, " Maricela's Story ," which recounted a farm worker's story of sexual harassment, the participants were treated to a special performance by a female mariachi band for clapping and singing and even some dancing. Committee members and many volunteers helped to make this a successful event.

As the oldest support group for farm workers in the nation, OCIC is thankful for their founders: Nat and Ralph Kennedy, Jean and Frank Forbath, and Roy Giordano (all who have passed), and Jeanne Giodana and the Rev. Chris Hartmire, first director of the NFWM, both still alive and kicking.

NFWM is grateful for the support of OCIC, both in raising funds for the Ministry and for participating in farm worker campaigns.

Could you do a similar event in YOUR church? Sí, se puede!
 
Welcome remarks by Suzanne Darweesh
Welcome remarks from
Suzanne Darweesh
Day of the Dead memorial
Day of the Dead memorial by Irene Arellano
Mariachi in Training
Mariachi in Training
NFWM Update
Kate Hamman

We are proud to welcome
Kate Hamman,
Administrative Assistant!

Kate grew up in Arizona, spent three years farming in Cedar Grove, NC with Anathoth Community Garden & Farm. The Anathoth community taught her to harvest sweet potatoes, celebrate agricultural traditions, and most importantly, support the diverse communities of farmers who grow our food. She also has a degree from Duke Divinity School and has spent time working in Costa Rica.

Welcome, Kate!

To reach Kate, please email admin@nfwm.org.
Gary Massoni

Remembering Gary Massoni,
1942-2019

Gary Massoni, co-founder of Oregon Farm Worker Ministry, June 1985, Salem, Ore.
Gary and his wife Betty were long time supporters of peace and justice, including the Farm Worker struggle to unionize the workplace.

Gary accompanied Verne & Rosemary Cooperrider, David Papen, Ellen Lowe, Rev Fred Eyster and others to begin farm worker ministry in Oregon in the early 1980’s. In 2014, Oregon Farm Worker Ministry became Farm Worker Ministry Northwest to engage faith communities in the regional struggle for justice. This organization has been a member of National Farm Worker Ministry since its origin in 1985. We are grateful for all Gary's support and will miss him dearly.

Gary Massoni: ¡PRESENTE!

Become a Harvester of Justice Today!
We’re so honored to support farm workers and we know you are, too. If you want to be in solidarity with us, here's an easy way for you to do it: Join our honored group of monthly & quarterly “sustaining” givers.

Be a Harvester of Justice!

Why make a recurring gift? Harvesters of Justice are the backbone that sustains our work. Recurring gifts allow NFWM to spend less time fundraising and more time working with farm workers. Just click the link below, select the dollar amount, and make sure you select "monthly," or "quarterly," under "Donation Frequency."

Thank you to all who generously supported us as sustainers in 2019. If you haven't yet done so, commit to being a sustainer in 2020. Now is the time! 


Every Farm Worker matters. Every gift matters.

NFWM Supports These Boycotts led by our Farm Worker Partners.
We hope you will, too!
National Farm Worker Ministry | 919.807.8707 | nfwm@nfwm.org | nfwm.org