Several student and community organizations, along with community members at The University of New Mexico, host the fifth annual Farmworkers Awareness Week (FAW) in the UNM Student Union Building atrium.

This is a response to a call by the Student Action with Farmworkers to support and advocate for a more just agricultural system. The goal of the event is to bring awareness to farmworkers issues in the southwest.

The event, hosted by CAMPerinos, starts Wednesday, March 29 by educating attendees on current farm work issues with experiences from student farmworkers.

On Thursday, March 30, Día de la Mujer Campesina celebrates women farmworkers and the history of “La Causa.”  This event will bring awareness to the issues farm workers struggle with and recognize local farmers, agricultural advocates and the contributions of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

CAMPerinos will also host the Cesar Chavez blood drive both days: the first day will be in the SUB Ballroom and the second day will be outside in the blood mobile.

Along with bringing awareness to farmworker issues, the UNM Community is invited to take part in helping N.M. farmworkers by donating long-sleeve cotton breathable shirts. These shirts allow farmworkers to have some protection against the sun when they are working out on the fields. The drive will start March 20 and run through April 7.

Boxes for donations will be available at the Graduate Resource Center, Mesa Vista Hal—third Floor, UCAC—second Floor, the Cancer Research Facility Ground Floor on North Campus, ABQ Center for Peace and Justice and the National Hispanic Cultural Center Lobby. There will also be a bin in the SUB on March 29 and 30.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available both days to allow access to a broader segment of the UNM community.  

Visit the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Facebook page under events for more information.

Farmworker Awareness Week is the result of a collaborative effort between the following organizations: UNM College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), UNM High school Equivalency Program (HEP), UNM Camperinos student organization, the Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee, the UNM Graduate Resource Center (GRC), Project of New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC), La Plazita Institute, Albuquerque Food Corps, El Centro de la Raza, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A.) student organization, Mexican Student Association, Los Jardines Institute, UNM Food Justice initiative and the Town of Atrisco Land Grant, Community Engagement Center, Juntos, Luther House and La Cosecha.