Fires and AFSC appeal for migrant farm workers

Photograph on Orion Magazine Web site

The California fires exposed the living conditions of migrant workers. "Some live in makeshift homes along the mountainside and in canyons," said Pedro Rios, coordinator of the AFSC San Diego regional office.

"We immediately began contacting farm worker communities," states Christian Ramirez, the AFSC national immigrant rights advocate. "Some were still working out in the fields, even in the mandatory evacuation zones, afraid to leave for fear of losing their jobs. We intervened by negotiating with employees to allow them to leave."

Pedro Rios said that when the fire is contained, the migrant workers who live in the makeshift homes will need blankets and warm clothing, along with medical, housing and other services not yet identified.

Donations should be sent to the AFSC Crisis Fund/San Diego Fires, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. To contribute via Visa or MasterCard, call 1-888-588-2372, ext. 1, or through the AFSC website at www.afsc.org/give .

Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport, California and Farm Worker Families

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The New Farm Family www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/198/
Extra to Replanting People, published in the November/December 2006 issue of Orion magazine.

The people who make it all happen at Swanton Berry Farm
The Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport, California is the first organic farm in America to offer its employees stock in the business. The beneficiaries have included
migrant workers who might otherwise never have a chance to build equity through
their jobs.

“A major focus of Swanton Berry Farm over the past few years has been
to address the issue of farm ownership. We are trying to create a new model of
farming that allows aspiring farmers to enter the profession even though they
don’t have any capital,” declares the Swanton Berry Farm website.

The practical side of blessing is to care for people who need caring. What about the spiritual side of blessing? Perhaps it is as simple as saying, "Bless the farm worker families, Lord," and "Bless the agricultural industry. Bless our country with cooperation and caring for all." Judy