Student Organizing School | Speaker Requests | Coalitions & Networks | Syllabus for Educators | SAF Recommended Reading | Newsletter

Overview:

Through the From the Ground Up program, SAF raises awareness of injustices in the agricultural industry. Through actions, presentations, and publications, SAF informs and mobilizes students and community members around current legislation, consumer boycotts, and other justice efforts initiated by farmworkers.

Student Organizing School

Through the Student Organizing School, SAF trains, mentors, and supports a small group of college students in NC to be leaders in the farmworker movement. Through an orientation, retreats, and farm labor camp visits, student organizers learn about the history of the farm labor movement, current farm labor campaigns, and popular education and organizing. Through campus organizing, the students support current policy and organizing campaigns to improve farm labor conditions.

SAF envisions a world in which farmworkers earn fair wages, are safe on the job, and have access to higher education. We believe farmworkers and consumers should work together to achieve justice in the agricultural system. Do you share this vision? If so, please apply to SAF’s First Annual Student Organizing School (SOS).

Program Details:

SAF will provide selected students with:
•    Three trainings by seasoned organizers, alumni, and SAF staff
•    Room & board at three overnight retreats,
•    Guidance and support from SAF staff,
•    Support with choosing a mentor,
•    Partnership with a campus co-organizer,
•    A $100 stipend each semester, &
•    Travel reimbursement to retreats

Eligibility
•   College students who attend NC Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, Durham Technical Community College, NC State University, Johnston Community College, Wake Forest University, or Wake Technical Community College,
•    Demonstrate an interest and/or experience in campus organizing to support advocacy & corporate campaigns to improve farmworker conditions
•    Preference given to students from farmworker families, 
•    Preference given to students who are bilingual in Spanish/English.

* As SOS was created as an opportunity for new students to be involved with SAF, SAF program alumni are not eligible to apply.

Timeline

To submit an application for the program, download and fill out the following form:

SOS Application

Please send all forms to:
1317 W. Pettigrew St.
Durham NC 27705

Or email them to:
Nadeen Bir

To learn more about the Student Organizing School contact:
Nadeen Bir
Advocacy & Organizing Director
1317 West Pettigrew Street
Durham, NC 27705
919-660-3652 (phone)
919-681-7600 (fax)

NC Institute Speakers Bureau
-Free Resource for Community Members-

Designed as a statewide network and directory of professionals and advocates available for trainings and presentations, the NC Farmworker Insitute Speakers Bureau is a great new resource for churches, schools, civic groups who want to learn about farmworkers. Presentation topics include: Farmworker Living & Working Conditions, Immigration, Farmworker Movement, Overview of Latino Issues, General Overview of Farm Work, Cultural Traditions of Farmworkers, Agricultural Trends, Farmworker Health, Hispanic Ministry, Migrant Education Issues, and Globalization.

The ultimate goal of the Speakers Bureau is to promote greater understanding of farmworker issues throughout our communities. We recognize that building awareness is a vital aspect of advocacy for farmworkers and immigrants in North Carolina, and that we as a community are responsible for learning more about those who bring food to our tables. The NC Farmworker Institute is a project of the NC Council of Churches Farmworker Ministry Committee.

NC Farmworker Institute Speakers Bureau, 32 pages, FREE

Available in pdf format here.

COALITIONS AND NETWORKS
SAF collaborates with the following organizations and networks to enhance our work supporting farmworkers:
• Farmworker Health Alliance
• Fund for Southern Communities Grants Committee
• Governor's Committee on Hispanic/Latino Affairs
• Housing Development Corporation
• Network of Immigrant Advocates
• NC Council of Churches, Farmworker Ministry Committee
• NC Farmworker Services Coordinating Committee
• NC Editorial Forum
• Migrant Education Program Area Committees
• SC Task Force on Farmworkers
• SE Initiative for Labor & Human Rights
• Southern Anti-Racism Network
• Southerners on New Ground
• Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Advisory Panel

To learn more about From the Ground Up or to schedule a presentation, please contact: