National Farm Worker Ministry an interfaith organization supporting farm workers as they organize for justice member organizations include nearly 40 national, state and local religious bodies
"Without religious support
it would have been impossible to win our campaigns...
the presence of NFWM has proved critical in many areas." Arturo Rodriguez, President, United Farm Workers
National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) is an interfaith organization that supports farm workers as they organize for empowerment, justice, and equality.
NFWM began in 1920 as a ministry of charity and service, providing food, clothing and day care to the farm workers. When United Farm Workers founder César Chávez began organizing in the 1960's, he called on the religious community to change its emphasis from charity to justice. NFWM became the vehicle for people of faith to respond to that call. NFWM brings together national denominations, state councils of churches, religious orders and congregations, and concerned individuals to act with the farm workers to achieve fundamental change in their living and working conditions.
Grounded in faith, NFWM works side by side with farm workers throughout the country, organizing vigils, picketing, coordinating boycotts and educating constituents."Without the religious support it would have been impossible to win our campaigns...the presence of NFWM has proved critical in many areas." Arturo Rodriguez, President, United Farm Workers
NFWM STAFF
National Office Virginia Nesmith - Executive Director
Susan Alan - Resource Coordinator
Ginnie Druhe - Grants & Technology Coord.
Tia Rowan - Business Manager California Office - TBA Florida Office - Roberta Perry, Lariza Garzon Miami Office - Jeanette Smith North Carolina Office - Alex Jones, UMC Intern Oregon Office - Andrea Cano Youth & Young Adult Network -Lariza Garzon
NFWM Staff, July 2007 Front row: Lariza Garzon, Jeanette Smith, Bert Perry, Andrea Cano. Rear: Susan Alan, Alex Jones, Ginnie Druhe, Virginia Nesmith
NFWM BOARD
In 2006, NFWM Executive Committee joined farm workers protesting heat deaths in California.
Executive Committee: President, Br. Mark Schroeder, OFM, - Franciscan Friars, Province of Sta. Barbara Vice Presidents, Olgha Sierra Sandman, - Church Women United - Illinois Edith Rasell, Vice President - UCC Justice and Witness Ministries Secretary, Dr. Sam Trickey, - Florida Advisory Group, NFWM Treasurer, Mary Dutcher, - Society of the Sacred Heart Members at Large, Sylvia Campbell, Exec. Comm. - Alliance of Baptists Felix Garza, Exec. Comm. - Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, KY Julie Taylor, Exec. Comm. - UMC GBGM, Women's Division David Wildman, Exec. Comm. - UMC GBGM, M C & Relationships Counsultants, Rev. Bruce Hanson Rev. Wayne C. "Chris" Hartmire
Member Organizations and Representatives: Agricultural Missions - Joe Keesecker California Church IMPACT - Rev. John Freeseman Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network - To be named Christian Church (DOC), Disciples Farm Worker Ministry - Rev. James Burton Church of the Brethren - Rev. Phil Jones Church Women United, So CA/So NV - To be named Cumberland Pres Church-Bd of Missions - Pam Phillips-Burk ELCA Division for Church in Society - Mary Minette Episcopal Church Migrant Ministry Committee - Rev. Timothy Hoyt Franciscan Srs. Of Little Falls - Jeff Odendahl Loretto Community - Carolyn Jaramillo Member at Large - Jeanne Giordano NC Council of Churches, Farmworker Min. Cttee - Joan Preiss Orange County Interfaith Cttee for Farmworkers - Suzanne Darweesh Oregon Farm Worker Ministry - Rev. Ed Brandt Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters - Sr. Francisca Olvera Pinellas Support Committee of NFWM - Joe Morgan Presbyterian Hunger Program, PC(USA) - Andrew Kang Bartlett Sarasota-Manatee Farmworker Support Cttee. - Marvin Mills Sisters of Charity of BVM - Sr. Carol Cook Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, OH - Sr. Alicia Alvarado Southern California Ecumenical Council - Rev. Gene Boutilier Sisters of St Francis of Assisi - Sr. Kathy Kreie School Sisters of Notre Dame, Shalom N. America - Sr. Jeanne Wingenter United Methodist Church Genl Bd of Church & Society - John Hill Unitarian Universalist Migrant Ministry - Rev. Ken Brown
DONATE TO NFWM
NFWM is a religious non-profit organization under 501(c) (3). Any financial or in-kind donations are tax-exempt to the extent permissible by law. More information available here.Or, donate online through Network for Good.
