United Farm Workers

This #EarthDay, we wish we could count on the federal government to protect farmworkers from toxic pesticides. But in 2026, it looks like we need to do it ourselves. Make your gift today to help bring a better future. act.seiu.org/a/earthday2026… #WeFeedYou

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This #EarthDay, we wish we could count on the federal government to protect farmworkers from toxic pesticides. But in 2026, it looks like we need to do it ourselves. Make your gift today to help bring a better future. act.seiu.org/a/earthday2026… #WeFeedYou

Sweet potato hotbeds in Merced County CA are thriving the current warm conditions. Plants are growing quickly and are close to approaching the stage where they can be cut and prepared for planting in the fields. #WeFeedYou

A farmworker stands beside his tractor hooked to a water tank used to irrigate or suppress dust across dry field roads. This is essential as the dust can settle on grapevines, increasing the risk of diseases, mites, and fruit rot. #WeFeedYou

Farm workers at Chateau @SteMichelle Wineryare pruning grape vines with pneumatic scissors. "Julia" shares, "It's good to work at a union company that provides the best tools. These scissors allow us to work more efficiently and creates less stress on our hands." #WeFeedYou

"Adan" shared this photo from the Coachella CA where hes picking green beans. "I get paid 40 cents per pound. The work is exhausting - especially due to the excessive heat in the area. But this is how I support my family." #WeFeedYou

@zukeepre These are not unionized workers. We post photos and videos that are sent to us by farm workers some have a Union contract but most don't

@UFWupdates I thought they were unionized. Minimum wage?

"María" has been picking strawberries for 17 years in CAs Central Coast. "This year, the strawberry harvest is not going well. I am worried because we only make minimum wage. We're not working a lot of hours and I don't know how I will meet my families expenses." #WeFeedYou.

These apple trees have “root stock” trees as a strong base, with branches from trees bred for flavor or fruit quality grafted onto them. The root stock tree makes for a strong and vigorous tree while the grafted stem control fruit features. #WeFeedYou

Farmworkers are de-leafing grapevines in the vineyards near Arvin CA. Crews move row by row removing excess leaves from the vines. This helps improve air circulation and sunlight exposure for the grapes as the growing season progresses. #WeFeedYou

Workers in Bakersfield CA place bamboo sticks in a newly planted grape field. The bamboo sticks help guide the grape plant in its early stages of growth. The sticks are later removed when the plant is big enough to be connected to the trellis system. #WeFeedYou

"Susana" works for Monterey Mushroom Morgan Hill under a contract. She has the skilled job of thinning out the mushroom to ensure quality. She also takes care of sanitization to keep the production rooms free of diseases that attack the mushrooms. #WeFeedYou

The Coachella music festival is in the news with the minimum price of sold out 3-day ticket costing $549. Contrast that with "Nicolas" who is currently harvesting onions in the Coachella area and getting paid $22 for a $900lb crate. #WeFeedYou #coachella2026

It was banned in CA on April 17, 1975, during Jerry Brown’s first term as governor as the result of a campaign led by Maurice “Mo” Jourdane, then an attorney with CRLA.

Today in UFW history—April 17, 1975: Farm workers called the short-handled hoe el cortito (the short one) or El brazo del Diablo (the devil’s arm) since it forced them to toil hour after hour bent over weeding or cultivating, causing crippling back and skeletal injuries. 1/

Kim" is working in the plums in Selma CA for min. wage. She's on an elevated platform where she's harnessed in & skillfully removes small plums from a cluster and leave others behind so they can grow larger. It's hot work as she's above the tree and does not get shade. #WeFeedYou

"Luz" is working in the Tehachapi CA area. "It's a very tiring job. We spend our days bent over weeding these very young lettuce plants that don't come up very high. My back aches by the end of the day. But this work feeds my family." #WeFeedYou

This Kern County crew is harvesting broccolini. Unlike broccoli, which is harvested once, workers need to keep on coming back to the same field to select the individual, tender 6–8 inch stems before they flower. It's a challenging crop as it requires precise timing. #WeFeedYou

"Julio" sent this pic from Merced County were he is tending the hotbeds where young sweet potato plants are developing for the upcoming transplant season. They open and close the beds daily to control temperatures. The 30 lb sandbags are used to secure the coverings. #WeFeedYou

It was 87° at 1:30 pm as farm workers in Arvin, CA are bent over removing weeds by hand to protect the young vegetable plants. Their work keeps the rows clean, reduces competition for water and nutrients, and helps the crop grow strong and healthy. #WeFeedYou