During the week of March 24, the County of San Mateo, Supervisor Ray Mueller’s Office and community partners are offering a range of events to recognize the vital role farmworkers play in putting food on our tables and to highlight the challenges they face.
Kicking off Monday, March 24, “Farmworker Awareness Week” includes festive events as well as a focus on the decades-long – and ongoing – struggle for civil rights.
Among the highlights: Supervisor Mueller has invited guest speakers to Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting which will include family members of Cesar Chavez, the civil-rights leader who helped to form the United Farm Workers union and pushed American society to recognize the rights of farmworkers and Latinos.
“Especially now, when this community is facing the harshest rhetoric, I think it’s more important than ever to stand with them and to bring attention to their needs and work to support them,” Supervisor Mueller said.
Those who work on San Mateo County’s farms and ranches contribute to the $100 million local agricultural industry. They are a small but vital share of the 2.6 million farmworkers across the United States.
“Beyond farmworkers, they are mothers, fathers, grandparents, leaders, volunteers, teachers and more,” said Dr. Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, executive director of Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), a Half Moon Bay nonprofit that works daily to address the needs of coastal farmworkers and is hosting Farmworker Awareness Week events.
“This week reminds us to celebrate those that are caring for the land and for all of us. We also must continue to advocate and improve their lives with resources, housing, mental health, medical and more,” Hernandez-Arriaga said. “This week brings us together to commit to being in unity with our farmworker community.”
Celebrations and events take place throughout the week, culminating with Cesar Chavez Day on Monday, March 31, a federal commemorative holiday and a California state holiday.
For organizers, the week is as much about recognizing farmworkers’ contributions as it is about highlighting their work to a broader audience.
Mueller said, “I think it’s really easy to see holidays on the calendar and just celebrate them as days off. But connecting events for the entire week to raise awareness creates an interaction with the community. That brings meaning to that day on the calendar and allows us to focus with deep introspection about what we need to be doing to support an underserved community.”
Here are ways to recognize local farmworkers and take part in events:
Help Raise Awareness: Farmworkers in San Mateo County
Starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 24, the County and partners invite the public to the week’s kick-off event with opening remarks and slideshow viewing. The event takes place at Manzanita Hall, 500 County Center, Redwood City.
Presentation and Guest Speakers: Board of Supervisors Meeting
On Tuesday, March 25, Supervisor Mueller is scheduled to introduce a proclamation declaring Farmworker Awareness Week in San Mateo County. Expected speakers include Santa Clara University’s Dr. Pedro Nava, and members of the Chavez family.
The event takes place during the Presentations and Awards section of the Board of Supervisors agenda, with in-person and remote participation available. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, First Floor, 500 County Center, Redwood City
View a Documentary, Join a Discussion
At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, attend a viewing of Campesinos: America’s Unsung Heroes at the College of San Mateo’s Coastside campus, 650 Mill St., Units 101/102, Half Moon Bay.
A panel discussion follows at 7 p.m. with experts in the fields of health care for farmworkers, protecting workers from wage theft and other issues affecting low-wage workers in San Mateo County.
Music, Books and More
Enjoy music and join a book reading at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at the Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas St., Half Moon Bay. Books to enjoy include “La Mariposa” by Francisco Jimenez, “The Last Stand” by Antwan Eady and “Thank a Farmer” by Maria Gianferrari.
“El Poder del Pueblo/Building Solidarity and Creating Change” Event
This is a speaking engagement where Supervisor Mueller has been invited as a guest.
Cassandra Matter
Communications Director and Legislative Policy Aide
Office of Supervisor Ray Mueller, County of San Mateo - District 3
cmatter@smcgov.org
650-363-4569