"Mario" a CA Central Valley sweet potato worker shared this pic with us. Workers put together this temporary structure to store the potatoes they harvest. It allows the product to completely dry out before forklift drivers load them up to send to supermarkets. #WeFeedYou

It's peak season in WA State cherries. Workers are paid piece rate and earn $4.50 per 22lb bucket. (The same as they earned in 2022). If they work super fast they can harvest 50 to 60 buckets in a 9 hour day during this very short peak season. #WeFeedYou

Farmworkers spread out 13–16 per side and spend the entire day hunched over, picking tomatoes as fast as they can. If they’re on the far end, they run across the field to reach the trailer. The dumper checks each 25lb bucket is full. Then the puncher gives them credit. #WeFeedYou

This WA field is waiting for farm workers to come in and start harvesting the cherries. Because farm workers are paid by the container they must work quickly even when temps are high like this day. #WeFeedYou

"Julia's" deleafing grapevines in CAs San Joaquin Valley earning 50 cents per vine. She wears a mask as the grape leaves contain dust and other small particles that irritate her throat & lungs. Her eyes are exposed and are often irritated by the end of the day. #WeFeedYou

Read full report by Sean Roney in King City Rustler: https://kingcityrustler.com/cyclists-conquer-salinas-valley-for-a-cause/ (excerpts below).

"This year marks 20th year for the Fuller Center for Housing and 17th year for the Center’s Bicycle Adventure ride, but first time the trip came through #Salinas Valley, as #BigSur highway closures meant an inland detour was necessary….St. Mark’s Episcopal Church provided overnight shelter for the group so they could get rest and eat in #KingCity."
…
“'These farmlands are fascinating, and I will never look at a jar of strawberry preserves [the same] again,” said Andy Simpson, who... had never before seen #agriculture on the scale of #MontereyCounty fields. 'The wonderful workers doing this are amazing.’
…

"“When you ride a bike across country and stay in #churches, you live a very simple existence,’ Asmuth said. “You realize how little in life you need to be truly content.’"

#FarmWorkers #FieldWorkers #WeFeedYou #SalinasValley
#ecumenical #Christian #FaithInAction
#BikeYourTalk #WalkYourTalk
#KingCityRustler

Orchard workers at NYs Wafler Farms have been unfirling hail nets over rows of apple trees that stretch for what can be close to a mile to protect them from possible hail storms that have damaged apples in the past. #WeFeedYou

"Jose" harvests cauliflower in Santa Maria CA: We begin at 4am to avoid the heat. We earn $16/hour with no benefits. Our days are spent bending lifting and standing. Our backs hurt, but we can't afford to see a doctor even when the pain seems unbearable. #WeFeedYou

A heatwave is going on in NY. While many of us were inside with the A/C going, in Western upstate NY workers were laboring in 96° temps without shade as they tended the tomato plants. #WeFeedYou

"Leo" shared this video of the upcoming watermelon harvest. He shared these melons were planted in March and should be ready to pick in time for us to enjoy on #July4 BBQs. He earns minimum wage for his work. #WeFeedYou

Central Valley sweet potato workers in are on a planting machine. The plants have to be precisely spaced apart as they are dropped into the pre-dug holes. It's very tedious work as workers can't even miss one hole. It's even harder when it's hot as there is no shade. #WeFeedYou

"Rosa" harvests strawberry in Santa Maria, CA: We work piece rate and I get paid $2.50/box. I work very fast as I have to pack a lot of boxes each day to earn enough to pay my rent and bills. It's a very tiring job. #WeFeedYou

"Arturo" share this photo where he was weighing the cherries he picked. He shared he was working 7 days a week and was paid .24cents/pound. #WeFeedYou

The blueberry season is in full peak in CAs Central Valley. Workers wait in line to give their buckets to the puncher who keeps track of how many buckets they fill. It takes a lot to fill one of these big buckets. The berries are then transferred to the truck. #WeFeedYou

"Juan" appreciates the cloudy cool day as he harvests radishes on CAs Central Coast. He knows June gloom will soon end and he'll be working under a searing summer sun as he labors to put food on Americas tables. #WeFeedYou

A tractor driver heads to the canal to fill his tank with water. He will then drive alongside the transplanting tractor and refill its water supply so the crew can keep planting the seedlings without a pause. #WeFeedYou

"Julio" shared this from last year. He's injured but will recover in time for the season. "Thanks to the union I’m able to recover without worrying about loosing my job. I’ll come back just in time for harvest season. That's a privilege non-union workers don't have. #WeFeedYou

"Lety" is hoeing, removing weeds from the lettuce plants in CAs Central Coast. She literally walks miles through the fields every day. She shares, "I'm tired from all the walking. The rows are extremely long. At the end of the day my hands hurt from hoeing." #WeFeedYou

Make your call today. On April 25th, in Frankenmuth, MI, Democrat Senator Slotkin said she's supporting GOP and agribusiness trying to cut farm worker wages. If you stand with farmworkers, act now. Make your call to Senator Slotkin today at 1-202-759-4087.
Protect farm worker wages!
#wefeedyou

"Jose" has been irrigating CAs Central Coast fields for 13 yrs. "Here I am watering the cauliflower. I must move the irrigation system to where it is dry. I get very wet from this. I also get very tired from walking in the fields to make sure all the plants are watered." #WeFeedYou