Our Mission
The Association of
Farmworker Opportunity Programs' 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.
The Association of
Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) has been an advocate for migrant and
seasonal farmworkers in the United States since 1971. The thread that binds the
Association is the concept that training and education can provide the launching
pad to a better and more stable life for the workers who plant, tend, and harvest
the crops that Americans consume at their tables.
Accordingly, member
agencies receive grants from the United States Department of Labor and other
governmental entities to administer programs that upgrade farmworkers’ skills
and provide essential education, including English proficiency for those whose
native tongue is another language.
Services
AFOP serves its members by
providing a vital link to the federal agencies that fund the services described
above, often providing technical assistance and training to field staff via
national conferences.
Farm work is extremely low-wage work and subject to dislocation caused by severe weather and crop failure.
Most farmworkers earn less than $12,500 per year from what is often backbreaking
and dangerous labor. Association members often are the agencies of last resort
for many migrant and seasonal workers, providing emergency food, clothing, and
other assistance. Most member organizations operate a variety of other programs,
including Head Start, education, and housing counseling.
Health Education
The Association
operates a "Train the Trainer" pesticide safety program for farmworkers. This
United States Environmental Protection Agency funded program enables AFOP to
train outreach workers in member agencies and related organizations in the
Worker Protection Standard and latest techniques and pesticide standards.
Trainers at the local level then conduct trainings for groups of farmworkers to
help them understand and protect themselves from the dangers of pesticides. This
program, known as Project HOPE, is now operational in 14 states.
In past years, AFOP
partnered its EPA grant with AmeriCorps funds to train AmeriCorps members in 16
different locations. Since 1995, these programs have helped some 350,000
farmworkers receive pesticide training certification, which is a requirement for
all farmworkers exposed to the hazards of chemical pesticides in the fields.
Hundreds of thousands of family members, children, and community agencies have
also received training on pesticide safety.
AFOP
advocates for policies that benefit and protect agricultural workers. Through
its newsletter, the Association communicates the latest facts and trends in the
world of farmworker services and advocacy. Called the Washington Newsline, this
publication is a valuable tool for farmworker organizations, AFOP member
agencies, and policymakers.
The Association is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports its national staff, offices, and programs
primarily from grants, membership fees, and contributions.
Announcing the 2nd Annual
Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Children Essay Contest! Click
here to learn
more.
