Special NYC Socially Responsible Wine Tasting

Written by barb howe Tuesday, 31 August 2010 11:05

Great news New Yorkers!  Farmworker Justice is bringing a special encore presentation of our Socially Responsible Wine Tasting to the Big Apple.

Please join us September 21st at Charlie Palmer's Astra restaurant in the D & D (Decoration and Design) building on 3rd Ave (at 59th Street).  You'll meet wine expert Michael Green, former wine and spirits consultant to Gourmet magazine and frequent guest on the Food Network, who will entertain you with a lively presentation on the artistry of wine.

All wines tasted at the Socially Responsible wine tasting are from vineyards where workers are treated fairly and enjoy safer and healthier working conditions. 

Attending or sponsoring the wine-tasting is a fun and entertaining way to support the work of Farmworker Justice.  To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit our main website.

Egg Farm Owner Had History of Unsafe Working Conditions

Written by Bruce Goldstein Monday, 23 August 2010 07:42

The salmonella outbreak in eggs apparently occurred at Wright County Eggs in Iowa, which is owned by DeCoster Egg Farms, a large company with a past history of serious occupational safety and health violations, as reported by the Washington Post.  Back in the late 1990's Farmworker Justice sought to help a local group in Maine improve conditions at a large egg production facility in Maine. 

Football Tickets Purchased: Farmworker Justice Gets Donation

Written by Bruce Goldstein Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:01

Farmworker Justice received $250 for a a pair of great seats to the Washington Redskins v. Baltimore Ravens football game.  Thanks very much to our donor of the tickets and the purchaser of the tickets.  Farmworker Justice holds online auctions for donated items.  So consider what you can donate!  Thanks.

Donate for Redskins-Ravens Tickets for Saturday night; great seats

Written by Bruce Goldstein Saturday, 14 August 2010 15:18

Farmworker Justice received a donation of 2 great seats to the Redskins-Ravens preseason game at FedEx field on Saturday, Aug. 21st at 7 pm, with a free parking pass.  This is a $512 value.  The seats are at the 2 club-level, sec. 321, pretty much at the center of the field.  Great view of Washington's new quarterback, Donovan McNabb.

We will give the tickets to the highest bidder. We are asking $200. Decision will be made on highest bid on Wednesday at 5pm.  If there is a tie, we'll ask for a higher bid.  If there is a final tie, then the first bidder at that level wins, so bid early.

Contact America Rivera at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202-293-5420 ext. 301.  Thanks.

Will Farmworkers Soon Work in Skyscrapers and Formerly Vacant City Lots?

Written by Bruce Goldstein Saturday, 14 August 2010 08:26

The movement toward farming in urban areas is leading to farming on vacant lots and plans for hydroponic, indoor systems to grow fruits and vegetables year-round in vacant skyscrapers and other urban buildings that are in disuse. Will these be taken to scale? If so, they'll need agricultural workers. Will the "farmworkers" move to the cities to tend these new urban "fields"? See the NY Times article.

Ag. Secretary Tom Vilsack: Irony on Shirley Sherrod Incident

Written by Bruce Goldstein Saturday, 14 August 2010 08:12

In David Broder's column in the Washington Post on Agriculture  Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has impressed him and us with concern for affecting all populations in rural areas, he notes that the Shirley Sherrod incident does not reflect Vilsack's overall abilities or interests.  

Briefly speaking about rural poverty, which remains a major priority for Vilsack, Broder reports that "farm income is up 9 percent over last year, and farm exports are at nearly record levels. But most of those living in rural America are not farmers."  

Farmworkers contribute mightily to huge increase in exports of fruits and vegetables over the years, helping our trade balance, but farmworkers have garnered little of the benefit.