PASCO, Wash. – Columbia Basin College hosted an event focused on the history and challenges of farm work, organized by La CASA, the Cultural Appreciation and Student Advocacy Group.
Michael Jaramillo, the event’s host, shared his personal connection to the topic. He explained, “So it really started off when I was about like 12 to 14 years old. My parents would bring me to work in the fields,” Jaramillo said.
He described how his summer vacations were spent working under the Yakima Valley sun, often missing out on social activities with friends. “My summer instead of being a vacation, [they] were just work… There was a lot of times where all of my friends would be wanting to hang out, and I told them, sorry, I can’t like I’m either working or had to work the next day,” he stated.
Jaramillo is now focused on educating the community about the hardships farmworkers face. He emphasized the importance of understanding workers’ rights, saying, “And so just really creating awareness that even though you are undocumented and you go through the H-2A system, or even if you’re a U.S. citizen, you do have rights as a as a worker. Even if you’re working within agriculture.”
The event also included information on how to support local farm workers. A long sleeve drive is taking place through the end of April. For more details click here.
