Noisemakers & Songwriters in the Fields

On December 12, we held our end of year celebration, where we honored individuals and organizations that have championed our work. With just two people on staff, we couldn’t make the impact we do without so many partners and supporters. Our allies help us keep the momentum going in the struggle for farmworker justice. Here are the “Noise Makers” we honored with our homemade matracas (loud, ratcheted wooden noisemakers typical in Mexico).

Organizations honored: Toxic Free NC, Union of Southern Service Workers (USSW), NC Latinx Collaborative

Individuals honored: Sylvia Zapata, Susan Alan, Dave Austin, Melissa Harrison, Lori Khamala

Looking Ahead

We need everyone’s help as we begin to gear up for the coming season. Last year was a year of intense challenges and we are expecting even more in 2026. Here’s some of what we are anticipating,

Obviously, immigration issues are a top concern. Even our members, who work in the US on H2A visas, face increased scrutiny, discrimination, and danger at the border, as well as in the communities where they work. We are training our members on how to deal with this situation and we are remaining vigilant.

In addition, the Administration’s dramatic slashing of the H2A wage rate - most H2A wages will fall by more than 20% this season, plus additional new cuts to worker pay for “housing”. Naturally, this is of great concern to the workers who have to make big decisions about whether it’s even worth it to make the journey. Stay tuned on this. Read more details about the H2A wage rate cuts in our October 2025 newsletter.

With climate change, we expect continued oppressive heat streaks during the summer harvest. We will continue our Collective Responsibility trainings to ensure that our members are educated and prepared to help each other in the fields. This approach was greatly successful last year and we look forward to our Health & Safety Committee members continuing to take leadership in their own and surrounding camps.

Finally, last year, we also experienced increased issues of access into camps, with growers threatening, and /or attempting to prevent organizers from visiting workers. We have partnered with the ACLU to respond to one incident with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department, and it remains to be seen how growers will respond this year. But we know one thing: we’ll be ready!

Caring for Injured Workers

There are currently two workers staying in the trailer we are using as a temporary shelter: A., whose leg was amputated after a serious work accident, and E., who developed a serious infection due to tobacco pesticides. These workers stayed in North Carolina after the season ended, and they continue to need care. Thanks to a generous donor, they were able to purchase groceries, and pay for their medications.

For many cases of injured workers, EFEN often partners with farmworker clinics such as NCFIELD and the NC Farmworkers Project to provide medical services and access different resources such as food pantry and prescription discounts. Thank you NCFIELD and Farmworker Project for your work; we are always grateful for your partnership and support.

Just Between Us: Alberto's Song

To end on an encouraging note, we want to share a powerful song by our very talented member Alberto, who once toured Europe with a mariachi band.  

This is a new version of renowned Mexican Mariachi superstar Vicente Fernandez’ song “Acá entre nos”. The lyrics were written by Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF) summer interns and workers at a labor camp in 2025, and Alberto added his revisions and put it to music.

Here are the lyrics in English: To show off to my friends, I told them

That in the US, no job could break me.

And that I harvested green bills among the furrows.

And a few sips of beer were enough

To remember a hardworking friend

And that his arms were covered in rashes

And that he worked in these foreign lands

To give his children more opportunities.

Just between us

I want you to know the truth

That among the furrows I gambled

My health and well-being, my dignity, my freedom

To get ahead and make the best life for my family.

Just between us

El Futuro Es Nuestro, the place

That gave me light and hope

When I encountered injustices and deception

In the US with a grower and supervisor

Who didn't care about my life.

Go, Leti! Here comes the grower

Speed it up, Maria!

Yes, sir!

Just between us

El Futuro Es Nuestro, the place

That gave me light and hope

When I encountered injustices and deception

In the US with a grower and supervisor

Who didn't care about my life.

Just between us

Among the crops and the tobacco fields

I found El Futuro Es Nuestro while working

For a bad boss who dismissed my health and dignity

And ignored the risks to my life.

This article is a condensed version of a newsletter first published by EFEN.