Farmworker Justice Fund

In 1996, Farmworker Justice Fund became a subsidiary corporation of National Council of La Raza (currently UnidosUS), according to the National Ag Safety Database. However, Farmworker Justice Fund continued to maintain an independent board of directors and tax-exempt status. ²

The organization focuses on litigation and public policy advocacy for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, campaigning for union-aligned wage and working condition rules. The group also does policy advocacy and litigation and support to farmworker organizations. ¹

Advocacy

The organization advocates for immigration reform, the term typically applied to granting some form of legal status to illegal immigrants in the United States. ¹ Farmworker Justice Fund also campaigns against international labor recruitment abuses. ¹

Farmworker Justice Fund also advocates for stronger federal regulations regarding farmworker labor protections. In 2015, the organization pushed the Environmental Protection Agency to impose stricter regulations on pesticides. ¹

The organization regularly lobbies the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The organization pushed the Department of Labor to improve enforcement of minimum wage laws for farmworkers. ¹

Farmworker Justice Fund says its lawsuits have affected corporate farm operators that try to deny they “employ” any farmworkers, and force liability on “farm labor contractors.” ¹

Among other issues Farmworker Justice Fund lobbies for are housing, workers’ compensation, a “right to know” about occupational chemicals, unionization, overtime pay, and higher minimum wages. ³

Its health care program, “train the trainer,” trains community health care workers on the needs of farmworkers. The program focuses on health issues that include pesticide safety, HIV/AIDS, and biological testing. ¹

Donors

In 2016, Farmworker Justice Fund received a $10,000 contribution from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). ⁴

Other major left-of-center groups reporting contributions to Farmworker Justice Fund include California Endowment,⁵ California Healthcare Foundation,⁶ Rudolf Steiner Foundation,⁷ and Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. ⁸

Government Ties

The Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends Farmworker Justice Fund as a resource for farm workers. ⁹

In 2011, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a federal agency, selected the Farmworker Justice Fund, among other organizations, to be a project consultant for a study to promote occupational health among farmworkers in Oregon. ¹⁰

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education lists Farmworker Justice Fund as a resource organization for migrants. ¹¹

Leadership

Bruce Goldstein is the president of Farmworker Justice Fund. He is a labor and civil rights lawyer with four decades experience. He joined Farmworker Justice Fund in 1988 after practicing law in the Midwest. He also represents the organization on the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 40 prominent national Latino organizations. Goldstein is also the co-founder and member of the board of directors for the Equitable Food Initiative. ¹²

Natalie Camacho Mendoza is the chairwoman of the Farmworker Justice Fund board of directors. She is an attorney licensed to practice in Idaho and Texas. In 2015, the city of Boise appointed her director of the Office of Police Oversight. She also served for a time as interim city attorney for Boise. She helped establish the Idaho State University’s Hispanic Awareness Leadership Organization, Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho, Idaho State Bar Diversity Section, and Concordia University Law School. ¹³