Farmworker Appreciation Day
Donate food, water, time and resources to the hard-working laborers who put veggies, fruit, grains, and other produce on our tables and in our stores.
Celebrate farmworker contributions and drive donations/CSR initiatives by highlighting the human stories behind produce supply chains.
- Behind every harvest: spotlight farmworker stories and labor conditions
- Donate or volunteer this August—support the hands that feed us
- Farm-to-table brands: showcase your farmworker partnerships and fair-labor practices
- Educational content on agricultural labor history and ongoing worker advocacy
Let’s jump into the time machine and rewind to the origins of Farmworker Appreciation Day! Its history is as rich as the soil farmworkers tend daily. The story begins in the 1960s, a time of big changes and louder voices.
Farmworker Appreciation Day’s origins date back to the complex history of agricultural labor in the United States.
It particularly highlights the evolution of farm labor demographics and the significant contributions of immigrant workers.
It serves as a reminder of the challenges and conditions farmworkers face, including exposure to pesticides and harsh working environments, which underline the importance of advocating for their rights and well-being.
Therefore, in sunny California, Filipino farmworkers decided enough was enough. They were tired of low pay and tough conditions. So, they took a stand, striking for better terms. This wasn’t a weekend picnic; it stretched over the years but sparked something bigger.
The United Farm Workers (UFW) union sprouted from these seeds of protest. Many unions and farming groups came together, fighting for their rights and improving farm laborers’ lives. Fast forward to 1966, and the UFW decided to honor their hard work.
But they didn’t settle on August 6th right away. Initially, they chose a date in September to align with a feast day honoring farmers. Things took a presidential turn in 1994 when Bill Clinton made it official. And just like that, August 6th was marked as Farmworker Appreciation Day on calendars across the nation.
This day isn’t just about looking back at struggles and strides. It’s a yearly reminder to say “thank you” to those who grow our food.
From sunrise to sunset, farmworkers are out there, ensuring our meals are more than just dreams. Every August 6th, we can acknowledge their sweat and sacrifice.
So next time you enjoy a crisp apple or a juicy tomato, remember the hands that made it possible. Farmworker Appreciation Day celebrates those hands, past, present, and future.