On the Road in Florida: Stories of Justice, Community, and Solidarity
In November, NFWM’s Executive Director Julie Taylor and Director of Farm Worker Advocacy Elizabeth Rodriguez traveled through Florida to visit long-time partners and hear directly from farm worker communities whose courage continues to shape this movement. From Immokalee and Homestead to Orlando and Winter Park, the trip offered moments of deep listening, shared history, and renewed commitment to those who harvest our food.
At each stop, we were reminded that the heart of this work has always been the same: relationships — the kind built over years of organizing, shared struggle, and standing together for dignity and justice. The stories and conversations we carried home reflect both the challenges farm workers are facing today and the leadership rising to meet them.
Visiting Farm Worker Partners & Allies
Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) – Immokalee, FL
Our first stop brought us to our farm worker partners, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), where long-time leaders shared updates on their ongoing work to protect farm workers from wage theft, abuse, and unsafe conditions. CIW’s decades of worker-led organizing have transformed fields across Florida and set new standards for corporate accountability. As part of the visit, we also heard updates on the Wendy’s Boycott, a key strategy to push companies to join the Fair Food Program and uphold human rights in their supply chains. Connecting with CIW was a grounding reminder of the courage, consistency, and leadership they model across the movement.
Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations (COFFO) – Homestead, FL
In Homestead, we met with Arturo Lopez, Executive Director of the Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations (COFFO). COFFO has spent nearly 40 years improving the living and working conditions of migrant and seasonal farm workers and the rural poor throughout South Florida, with services based in Florida City and Immokalee. Though our stop was brief, hearing directly from Arturo about the challenges facing local farm worker families and the ongoing need for stable housing and support underscored COFFO’s vital role in the region.
High School Student Filmmakers – Homestead, FL
We also had the privilege of meeting Esteban Reyes and Daniel Maldonado, two high school students participating in C-SPAN’s annual StudentCam Documentary Competition. Their project centers on how the Declaration of Independence’s values of equality and opportunity connect to the realities of agricultural and immigrant workers in Homestead. Their thoughtful questions reflected a genuine desire to understand the barriers farm workers face — from fair wages to safe working conditions — and the ways communities are working to uphold dignity and opportunity. Their initiative was an inspiring glimpse of the next generation stepping into this work with curiosity and compassion.
Planting Justice / WeCount! – Homestead, FL
Later in Homestead, we met with the leadership of Planting Justice, a program of WeCount! Florida. Over a shared meal, organizers spoke about their commitment to building a worker-centered approach to improving conditions for nursery workers across South Florida. Their campaign focuses on mapping the companies that supply the plants, flowers, and landscaping materials used in our homes, churches, and workplaces — a critical step in understanding how these supply chains impact the workers who grow and tend them. Their hospitality, clarity, and vision were deeply encouraging, and we left grateful for their leadership and the collaborative spirit of this work.
Centro Campesino – Homestead, FL
Our next stop was Centro Campesino, a long-standing community development organization serving farm worker families across Central and South Florida. Staff shared how they support farm workers — many of whom are U.S. citizens — in purchasing homes, accessing public services, and building long-term economic stability. Centro Campesino provides pathways to affordable housing, homeownership support, leadership development, and educational advancement. As federal funding becomes increasingly uncertain, their work is even more essential. We were grateful for the opportunity to hear directly about the challenges they face and the resilience of the families they serve.
Beth-El Farmworker Ministry – Wimauma, FL
In Wimauma, we visited Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, where we were welcomed by Dr. Teresita Matos-Post, Executive Director, and Rev. Tamara Leonard-Lara, Mission Pastor. Beth-El has deep roots in the Presbyterian and Cumberland Presbyterian traditions and remains steadfast in its mission to Feed the Mind, Spirit, and Body of the farm worker community. They shared updates on their food assistance programs, educational initiatives, and the growing needs they see among farm worker families. While on site, we also had the chance to speak with volunteers preparing for a day of service. Beth-El staff and community members will appear in NFWM’s upcoming Housing Justice video — a testament to their commitment and partnership.
Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) – Apopka, FL
Another visit was with another of our farm worker partners, the Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) in Apopka. New organizers and long-time staff gathered for a time of sharing stories, reflecting on the history of the movement, and discussing the urgent issues facing farm workers today. FWAF has been a pillar in the struggle for environmental justice, workplace protections, and community health. In a touching moment, Jeannie Economos honored Julie’s 10 years of leadership at NFWM with a cake and gifts — a gesture that highlighted the deep relationships built over decades of shared work. Our time with FWAF reaffirmed the strength and heart of the farm worker movement in Florida.
UnidosUS – Orlando, FL
Our Florida travels also included a visit with Jared Nordlund of UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. Since 1968, UnidosUS has advanced policy, research, and community-driven solutions through a network of more than 300 affiliates — including their Florida partners. Jared shared updates on the statewide realities facing Latino and immigrant communities and the policy landscape shaping their daily lives. The conversation underscored the importance of collaboration across organizations working to secure dignity, opportunity, and justice for farm worker families.
Rollins College – Winter Park, FL
On the way home, Julie made one final stop at Rollins College, where she was invited to speak with a class studying labor, justice movements, and community organizing. She shared an overview of NFWM’s national work, answered thoughtful questions about heat stress and housing conditions, and reflected on the long history of faith-rooted solidarity in the farm worker movement. Her time with students highlighted something we saw throughout this trip: the next generation is seeking to understand, engage, and advocate, offering hope for the work ahead.
Looking Ahead with Hope
After a full week on the road, one thing was clear: hope is still moving through the farm worker movement. We saw it in long-time partners continuing to organize for dignity, and in new campaigns taking root in Florida. And we saw it in the next generation — in the high school documentarians in Homestead and the students at Rollins College — whose curiosity and conviction remind us that this work is being carried forward.
NFWM remains committed to amplifying farm worker voices, strengthening partnerships, and equipping people of faith and conscience to take meaningful action in 2025 and beyond. If these stories move you, we invite you to stay connected, support us, and continue walking with us in the fight for justice. ¡Sí Se Puede!
