2018 National Farmworker Awareness Week

WASHINGTON - March 26, 2018 - PRLog -- Each year, an estimated 1 billion pounds of pesticides are applied to U.S. farms, forests, lawns and golf courses out of the 5.6 billion pounds worldwide.

Farmworkers who bring food to our tables are exposed more than anyone else to the health hazards of pesticides. Among the approximate 2 million US agricultural workers, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that doctors diagnose between 10,000-20,000 pesticide poisonings annually. "A long-sleeve shirt can help a farmworker reduce exposure to pesticides and decrease the chances of suffering a heat related illness," states Melanie Forti, AFOP's Health & Safety Programs Director.

During National Farmworker Awareness Week (NFAW), March 26-31, AFOP's Health & Safety Programs is sponsoring its annual National Long-Sleeve Shirt Drive. This year we are aiming to surpass the number of long-sleeve shirts collected in 2017 (12,126) nationwide.  After collecting the shirts, they will be distributed among the farmworker community with pesticide safety and heat stress prevention messages through our network of 218 trainers.

There is always a need and plenty of ways to get involved.  As a nation we can come together and help provide a safer and healthier life to our nation's farmworkers. And, your efforts don't have to end with this week of observance, as you can connect with local farmworker organizations and find other ways to get involved.  "From my experience many people do not realize what farmworkers actually do," commented Jody Stutzman.  "Giving the farmworkers the shirts is great and can be life-saving.  I think the most rewarding part comes from collecting the shirts and talking to people about who migrant farmworkers are and how they contribute to our country, state, and local economy."

Since 2014, AFOP has collected and distribute 34,271 long-sleeve shirts throughout the US.  This year everyone will have the opportunity to donate their slightly used long-sleeve shirts in 113 drop-off locations in 30 states, including Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.  To find the nearest drop-off location please visit:  http://afop.org/nfaw/

AFOP Health & Safety Programs strives to empower the farmworker community through health and safety education, resources and advocacy.  For additional comment or an interview, please contact Melanie Forti, Director of Health & Safety Programs at 202-384-1771 or forti@afop.org.


The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs is a non-profit, national federation of 52 non-profit and public agencies that provide training and employment services to migrant and seasonal farm workers. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all farmworkers and their families through advocacy, education, and training AFOP's mission is to improve the quality of life for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families by providing advocacy for the member organizations that serve them. That means securing the same rights and benefits for farmworkers that the rest of the American people enjoy. For additional comment or an interview with an AFOP expert, please contact Health & Safety Programs Director Melanie Forti.