University of Central Florida and University of Florida Visit FWAF and Ms. Linda Lee

 

    The Farmworker Association has hosted two college groups: Professor Beatriz Otero Jiminez's Food Justice class from the University of Central Florida and Alpha Epsilon Delta from the University of Florida led by Brooke Long. 

    Both days began with a conversation exploring the student' knowledge and understanding of farm work. Most students weren't aware of the harsh conditions and worker injustice on farms so close to home, and few were aware of the health risks and danger of  pesticide exposure for farmworkers. After a shocking and enlightening discussion about these realities hidden behind the perfect packages of fruits and vegetables that we see at our grocery stores, we visited our local project in food sovereignty: our community garden. 

    Hurricane Ian, our garden had caused damage in our Apopka garden. Papaya and banana trees, as well as  peppers, herbs, and other crops were lost to the storm. The students, Knights and Gators alike, helped with restoration. Tasks included weeding, potting up aloe plants, and cilantro, basil, oregano, lemongrass, and harvesting and planting yucca. 

    Most impactful was a visit to Ms. Linda Lee at her home. Ms. Lee shared personal stories and experiences of racism, pesticide exposure, and life as a Black farmworker. The students learned that before there were regulations requiring workplace health and safety training for farmworkers, members of the farmworker community would take home and use empty pesticide containers for household uses. The students were left with many questions: why hasn't justice been served for the blatant environmental racism experienced by the farmworkers of Lake Apopka? There was a very quiet van-ride back to the Farmworker Association office as everyone deliberated on this question.

    Over lunch, students shared their reflections. One student mentioned that the garden work was tough for him; he couldn't imagine the work on the level of industrial farming, much less every day for 6 days a week. Many students questioned the deep injustice felt by farmworkers and the institutional racism inherent in the agricultural system.

    The "garden days", a gentle title for such a profound experience, motivated the students. All agreed that ignoring the realities they learned about only serves to perpetuate the situation. The day came to a close with this natural call to action: spread the word about where your food comes from, use your voice and your vote to hold politicians and farm-owners accountable for the way they treat vulnerable people, and educate others.

    The garden work days at FWAF open the doors to a greater understanding of the need to transform our system of agriculture to one that is more just and that fosters agroecology, food sovereignty, and justice for farmworkers. 

by Finn Spencer