Working class: Teaching about farmworkers

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Tuesday, February 06, 2007

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By Elise Holston

Growing up in the Napa Valley, I have constantly been exposed to migrant farm workers and the difficulties that they face.

In elementary school, someone once told me that each of our parents’ jobs are connected with farm workers in some way, even if they weren’t involved in the wine business. I found that this was true because my mom was a doctor and took care of many farm workers. This thought stuck with me because I realized that these people give so much to the community, and we, in turn, need to give back to them. In my sophomore year in high school, I helped fix up a camp for the farm workers, and I was glad to know that I was helping create a nice place for these people to sleep. After that experience, I decided this was what I wanted to for my senior service project. I wanted to help the farm workers as well as increase awareness about the problems they face. I wanted to offer teenagers a way to go out into their community and help these people.

I am now a senior at Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa. A component of the curriculum is the development of a community-based service-learning project. I have decided to build on a project that was started by Elizabeth Phelps, and because she has already exposed her ideas to the community, I will be able to expand on the project. This will involve speaking with classrooms at the St. Helena Catholic School as well as the homerooms at Ursuline High School to increase awareness among the youth about the needs of the farm workers in our community. I also plan to involve the students in service projects benefiting the farm workers. At the classrooms, I will be holding drives for basic necessities (toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, blankets, sheets, etc.). Local youth groups will also contribute by going to local farm worker camps and helping maintain and improve the camps. I will be holding two to three of these work parties this coming spring. I am also continuing a scrapbook for the Farmworker Committee, which, through newspaper articles and photographs, documents the history of farm worker issues in the Napa Valley. I feel that by educating the youth about the problems of today they can make a difference in solving these issues in the future.

In order to cover expenses for our upcoming projects in 2007 as well as provide a donation to the Farmworker Fund of Napa Valley Community Housing, I am asking for your support. Anything you feel comfortable donating is greatly appreciated. It is my goal to raise a total of $10,000. Considering the labor required of these farm workers, I feel they deserve our contributions.

If you are interested in making a donation, please make checks payable to the Napa Valley Community Housing/Farmworker Fund, and have them mailed to my personal address at 1731 North Oak St., Calistoga, CA 94515 (All donations will be tax deductible. Tax ID # 94-2442233.).

(Holston lives in Calistoga.)

33 comment(s)

Shawna wrote on Feb 6, 2007 6:39 AM:

" Good luck with your donation request. I pay my taxes that is all the donations you will get from me. By the way my family does not have health insurance, does anyone want to make any donations. "

Kevin wrote on Feb 6, 2007 7:33 AM:

" I bet Peter Dreier can write you a big check! "

good on you shawna wrote on Feb 6, 2007 7:49 AM:

" Ask pres Bush fpor your health care program. Alternately pick grapes for it. "

Lynn wrote on Feb 6, 2007 8:31 AM:

" Sorry, they don't need any donations. They get everything free already. "

PHWYLIE wrote on Feb 6, 2007 8:42 AM:

" Shawna: You put a good perspective on the issue. Most of us are concerned about the illegal and criminal elements that exist due to the lack of enforcing existing laws. You have made an excellent point. "

Sandra wrote on Feb 6, 2007 8:47 AM:

" You are asking for donations to help Illegal workers to live better. While I may feel sorry for the plight of the Farmworker, I do not think donations for them is the answer. The companies that hire them should take care of them.....oh wait, will that cut into the profit they make on this serf class of people they have created? Hmmmm, maybe we should fine the businesses to the hilt, hire legal workers at a decent wage they can afford to live on without having to stay in a camp, or 15 to a house.....my wine will cost more? My lettuce will go up? So what? A small price to pay for less taxes, insurance, and better schools that don't have to teach to a large portion of non english speaking students. I am glad you are a motivated student, its just too bad you are using your intelligence to help big business take advantage of thier serf class of worker. My wallet mainly has moths...my health insurance and taxes take most of my money.... "

Angel wrote on Feb 6, 2007 9:12 AM:

" Thank You very much "

4th generation Napan wrote on Feb 6, 2007 10:12 AM:

" So where were these benefits when my grandparents were picking the fruits of the valley. They were not immigrants and they worked for pennies a bushel or basket. They had no medical and no benefits. My grandpa worked 3 jobs to make ends meat and raise my mom and aunt. For what? For immigrants to come take his job for less money and then get free services from our government. Now on Social Security and long retired I get very angry with a request liek this. Why should I pay more than I already do in taxes to support people who do not stand in the same camp as my grandpa did. Please tell me why I should support a felon who is here illegally. Also tell me why my children get a different education than I did given that there are now more Eng Learners in our schools than ever before. Please tell me how the people you are asking for money for are helping me. I do not drink the wine they pick the grapes for so tell me how they HELP me. THEY DON'T. "

PHWYLIE wrote on Feb 6, 2007 10:26 AM:

" How much of our taxed income and personal medical costs go to hospitals and, their emergency rooms due to the endless influx of illegals? Many of those hospitals have had to close. And, medical costs continue to rise. Yet, these people flow into our country on a daily basis. Why? The existing laws are not enforced. My fellow legitimate Americans have to become the force for our future. If a Scotsman entered this country, I would report it. Mexico is a Univision country. So American in their Schtick yet so much like us. Denial. In Mexico there are no "social services." There is no welfare system, no ability to be educated and advance. No birth control measures. Where can they go? Five families renting a four bedroom house in Napa? As innocent and honest as they might be, they don't belong here. Their children join gangs. Oops, Hollywood Dan told us there are no gangs in Napa. Well, denial comforts the people, but it doesn't protect THE PEOPLE of The United States Of America. "

to fourth generation wrote on Feb 6, 2007 11:27 AM:

" although times are different now, yes, I agree, these farm workers don't need a hand out, they need a hand up. But you do profit by their work. It may not be in the grapes they pick, but in in the vegetables and fruit that you eat. And although I'm sure you were a very hard working person, just as I am and absolutely deserve the social security you receive, as Social Security stands right now, these farm workers contribute to social security as do I. These monies help support the older generation right now. Will Social Security be around when it's my time to retire? I doubt it. Am I still paying into it? Absolutely, I don't have a choice, it's gone before I even get my check. I'm young enough to plan for the future, work hard and save. And you know what? My parents were farm workers. They busted there backs in the vineyards of this county. Were they illegal? No, they weren't. Did they ask for a hand out? No, they didn't. They promoted hard work and to be self sufficient. Times are different now. And as long as wineries and vineyard companies continue to hire these people for pennies on the dollar, the problem will never go away. So who's fault really is it? "

V.Ll. wrote on Feb 6, 2007 12:33 PM:

" I think what this young lady is doing is a wonderful senior project. I KNOW for a fact that not all farm workers in this valley are illegal. My parents as well as other family members are citizens of the United States and are farm workers. The farm worker camps are in most cases open seasonally, because once the work is complete they pack there stuff and head back home, because they are legally here they can cross the border freely. Please be open minded and REALIZE that farm worker does NOT mean illegal. I am astonished at the lack of knowledge many of the NVR readers display. Great project Holston!!!! "

Santiago wrote on Feb 6, 2007 12:56 PM:

" Dear Ms. Holston: Speaking from personal and professional experience--I grew up and lived in the Napa Valley from 1974 to 1994; I was undocumented until 1990--I want to thank you for caring about the plight of the farmworker. Keep up the good work and ignore the haters! No matter what you do, you will NEVER make them happy. =) "

lidia wrote on Feb 6, 2007 1:51 PM:

" I am very glad there is people who is willing to help farmworkers. I graduated in 2005 from VHS and for my senior project i also helped my comunity. I taught English to about 5 people that signrd up for my class. The classes were at my house and i was very proud of the results. "

lidia wrote on Feb 6, 2007 1:59 PM:

" many people are not aware of the benefits they are bringing to us. They take all those unwanted jobs many people are not willing to take. Tell me how many natives are currently working in the agricultural fields getting 8 dollars an hour, and no benefits. How many natives will be willing to work overtime and not get paid for it. Illegal immigration keeps prices low, since they are consired to be cheap labor, and cheap labor rises revenues. They are illegally in this country, but they are the ones who are willing to work at any sector. think about all the poeple who works in the private households. Will natives be willing to scrub toilets. "

4th generation californian wrote on Feb 6, 2007 2:06 PM:

" If you were promoting a better wage/benefit package as well as a means to ensure hiring of workers who are in my state LEGALLY, I would send a donation. Instead you are asking my support to perpetuate unfair practices that are helping to ruin my home state. No thank you. By the way, I hope you consider commenting on these responses in your project. Kumbaya. "

Napkin wrote on Feb 6, 2007 3:57 PM:

" Elise, your Mom the doctor may have treated farmworkers, but guess who probably paid for that treatment? I'll tell you who...those of us who are paying exorbitant healthcare premiums to cover the revenue lost by the all the free healthcare services provided to illegal aliens. You have a good heart, but your intentions are based in a pie-in-the-sky view of the world which will change dramatically once you enter the workforce and become a taxpayer and have to buy your own insurance. "

jazz wrote on Feb 6, 2007 6:27 PM:

" ok, ok, ok so we all don't have health care coverage, but yet again let me once more remind you that ("NOT ALL FARM WORKERS ARE ILLEGAL!), I am also one of the many people that doesnt have health coverage, and in a certain way I can understand that, but we do have some possible way we could pay for health coverage even in payments, they don't even have the opportunity to pay it off in payments because they have such a large family, and can;t afford it, but le me just remind you people something "under gods eyes we are all the same" oohhh yeah and one more thing, try going to mexico and I dont think youll feel as dicriminated as they do here.oh and one more thing watch the movie " A DAY WITHOUT A MEXICAN" "

uh jazzy wrote on Feb 6, 2007 8:58 PM:

" You have to be kidding, right? No discrimination in Mexico? There are numerous laws restricting the foreign-born in Mexico, just try doing a little research. And I don't think the Mexicans are too gentle with people who enter their country illegally. Millions of Americans are harmed by the illegal invasion, and in way Mexico is too, because instead of fixing their problems people are simply leaving and coming to leech off of the U.S. economy. The movie you mentioned is stupid propaganda not worth anyone's time. Grow up and do a little research before posting. "

Richard wrote on Feb 7, 2007 6:22 AM:

" Hey Jazz, If I go to Mexico without proper documentation, I get thrown in the slammer for being an illegal alien. Don't you get it??? Mexico has very tough immigration laws which they follow vigorously. It's not the farmworkers fault that we've allowed them to abuse the system for the sake of corporate profits at the expense of the middle class who blindly keep paying their taxes and "donating" to offset the farmworker's living costs so they can send more cash home to their families. This unwritten policy of creating a servant class will only end up accelerating the demise of our middle class. Dear sweet and dumb (I mean numb) Elise doesn't realize that like everyone else....she being played like a fiddle! P.S. That movie "A Day Without a Mexican" is extremely racist and shame on you for suggesting that the Latino contribution to our society is limited to clipping my poodles toe-nails. "

Sandra wrote on Feb 7, 2007 7:28 AM:

" To Lidia, You said, "Tell me how many natives are currently working in the agricultural fields getting 8 dollars an hour, and no benefits. How many natives will be willing to work overtime and not get paid for it." And there you have it. The wages they work for in these jobs are much less than they should be. It is illegal to work people over a certain amount of time without proper compensation. Americans would do these jobs if the wages were what they should be. I bet there would be no problem filling all the openings. Illegal workers LOWER the wages by being willing to work for very little. It is like scabs coming in while a union is on strike and working for less money. Ceaser Chavez knew this and was against Illegal workers. And who profits from this? The businesses that hire them for sub wages. Who pays for this? The Middle Class in higher taxes, insurance and poorer education for our children. Yes we would have to pay more for lettuce, or wine if agriculture had to pay thier workers more. It is a small price, compared to what is happening now. Agriculture is creating a "Serf" class of people, and we are paying for it. At least in Feudal England the lord housed his own "serfs". "

yea wrote on Feb 7, 2007 7:56 AM:

" Where were you on the krug union busting dispute? "

Lynn wrote on Feb 7, 2007 10:01 AM:

" I read this letter written by a farmer in Nebraska in a farming magazine: "When our local feed yard hires illegals it is told by the workers, "We don't need the health insurance." That is because the illegals have figured out that clinics and hospitals have to give them care reagardless of ability to pay and lack of insurance. --continue--- "

Lynn wrote on Feb 7, 2007 10:04 AM:

" Continued from farmer in Nebraska: " Mexican women come to the U.S. to have their babies. The babies become American citizens, the hospital bill isn't paid and we pay with higher insurance and medical costs. I am tired of susidizing the big feed yards and hog confinements that hire these people. Our property taxes pay to put their kids through school." "

whoa, Lydia, wrote on Feb 7, 2007 10:33 AM:

" $8/hour and no benefits? Wrong, dear. It's $8/hour AND many benefits: free medical and dental at Clinic Ole or the Queen, subsidized rent, subsidized food, free education for your kids (and for you, too, if you'd like to sign up at the adult school). Frankly, Lydia, your benefits are much more valuable than the measly $8/hour wage. Please at least appreciate them; we taxpayers work our tails off and do without so you can enjoy these benefits. "

NEBRASKA? wrote on Feb 7, 2007 10:42 AM:

" BEEN THERE? The same farmer had no problems using the Soiux who were covered by the PHS, if they could get back to the res, to harvest the potato or alfalfa crops. Nebraska doesn’t have near the system California does but manages to use Indian and illegal labor at poor wages if any and no health care. The garbage of one Panhandel town is probably still picked up by drunks the local police target to save the town money. You should see the inside of that jail bloody hand prints on the wall dried blood smears fro the last suicide. As long as you have somebody else to pick up the tab for the farmers responsibility he doesn’t really care. "

Mexican American wrote on Feb 8, 2007 12:49 AM:

" Too many farmworkers are illegal. I'll only support efforts that ensure the workers are here legally. "

fromnebraska wrote on Feb 8, 2007 4:36 PM:

" Nebraska makes California's labor issues look small the way they "game" the system. Iowa Beef and the other big meat packing plants brought in thousands of Vietnamese "boat people" after the war. Busted the unions and sent wages through the floor. "

FARM LABOR wrote on Feb 9, 2007 4:05 PM:

" In the panhandel of Nebraska the Lakota call the the saeasonal migriant labor TEXANS! "

Wow wrote on Feb 10, 2007 11:16 AM:

" I am finished in the donations dept thanks anyway. My last donation was to one of our great high schools when in an english class, my childs teacher allowed a fellow student to answer a question in spanish. When my child questioned what the student said was treated as a second class citizen. One call and my question was answered, it is apparently easier for this student to answer in their native language. WHAT? I dont even want and explaination beyond this. I happen to be a single parent and my health coverage is 965.00 a month. YEP. You people need to do some research. the question to this girl doing her senoir project. If you can answer one question for me then i will be glad to open up my wallet one more time. The question, How much money is made here in the US and sent back to Mexico. The answer will amaze you. It would cover the "benefits" they are so denied. "

concerned wrote on Feb 17, 2007 9:05 PM:

" I am shocked at the amount of ignorant prejudice that has been expressed by ADULTS! in the aforesaid comments. I think we should all be grateful that someone is trying to do some good in this world and she doesn't need selfish people trying to shoot that down. We are all aware that some farmworkers are illegal. However we do not all seem to be aware that many are not. I think people need to do their own research before leaving offensive comments! I mean, she is just trying to do her senior project she isn't personally trying to offend anyone. She doesn't need people attacking her for being a decent individual and proving that she is better than the majority of people who have left comments on this page. "

eimmac wrote on Feb 17, 2007 9:36 PM:

" I am honestly very surprised by many of these responses. The ignorance of some of these people is astounding, and i don't think that they realize how hypocritical they sound. And another thing, i can understand if you don't wish to make donations, but why would you go out of your way to critisize her project just to state that you refuse to donate? If you don't want to donate, don't donate, but don't just make attacks because you can. All these comments make me realize how selfish people are too! I think that it is RIDICULOUS that people would take the time to comment about how they do plenty by paying their taxes. People have to pay taxes, I know it's not fun but when you post things that talk about how all these farmers get "free things" and it's not fair becase they're "illegal", you are not only critisising her project and intentions, but you're also making an insensitive generalization about these people. "

Maria wrote on Feb 17, 2007 9:48 PM:

" I would just like to thank the outstading citizens who were able to rise above their own little problems and support a good cause. I am sure Ms. Holston appreciates your openmindedness, as do I. It is a pity not many others have been able to do the same. "

astonished wrote on Feb 19, 2007 10:27 AM:

" people are so ignorant, she is doing a good thing. "

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