Apuntes de campo es el blog donde los estudiantes de Estudiantes en Acción con Campesinos (SAF) comparten historias de su trabajo directo en el campo con los trabajadores, el trabajo organizativo de base y las actividades de defensoría. Y también donde los trabajadores agrícolas comparten sus propias historias y esperanzas de cambio, escribiendo en el lenguaje que les resulte más cómodo a cada uno.
Stories from the Fields
By: Cristian Gutierrez, 2026 ITF Intern at the North Carolina Farmworkers Project Over the last month working with the North Carolina Farmworkers Project (NCFWP), I have had the opportunity to work with great people who are truly passionate about the work they do and the impact they make in the farmworker communities. One of the things that makes NCFWP is that every day is different. Some days we are out doing outreach in the fields, other days we are interpreting for patients at dental clinics or helping during evening clinics with Campbell University and Benson Health. There is no set…
Beyond what the eyes can see
By: Valeria Carranza-Rueda, 2026 ITF intern at the Farmworker Advocacy Network Coming into this experience, I was placed in the theater group, which I was a bit wary of since I had never participated in any theatrical productions before. Just my second-grade Christmas play, where I was Vixen the reindeer, but performing in front of farmworkers would be very different. I knew that theater was my only (scheduled) opportunity to do outreach, since my position is remote, so I knew this would be my chance to have face-to-face contact with farmworkers. And honestly, I was really excited to do theater, even…
Workshop Overview with UFE
By: Alexandra Paz, 2026 ITF Intern at United for Fair Economy On Saturday, June 6, my placement hosted a workshop centered on popular education and storytelling. The workshop brought together farmworkers from a poultry farm, Duke students, NC State graduate students, and members of our organization. What made this experience so memorable was watching people from completely different backgrounds come together with a shared willingness to learn from one another. Even though there was a language barrier, everyone made a genuine effort to communicate. We provided live interpretation throughout the workshop so that everyone could participate, ask questions, and share…
Why SAF?
By: Perla Hernandez, 2026 ITF Intern Immokalee, the Miccousoke origin means my home, and if anyone asked where home was, this would be my answer. Growing up migrant, however, has not allotted me this privilege. Home has been where I’ve settled for the season. Where I wait for the seasonal fruits of my parents labor to bloom. Where I find role models through demonstrations of diligence within the tomato fields. Since attending my school, the University of Miami, I’ve felt as if all the work that contributed to my acceptance has faded. The identity 17 year-old me applied with has…
Being a Levante Scholar
By: Jahir Matute, '25-'26 Levante Scholar A time I felt most proud of myself during this [Levante] experience was whenever Flor Juarez Diaz [Program Director at James Sprunt] came to speak and knew about me already from my non-profit initiative. The reason why was because it made me realize that all the work I was doing was paying off, and that people do pay attention to change and movement. I want to thank Levante for helping me be a more outgoing person who wants to create change. My understanding of issues related to farm work, immigration, and other social issues have definitely deepened from the Levante program. The lessons and panels we would…
Farmworkers are Environmental Stewards
By: Jacey Anderson, SAF Board Member Thousands of years ago, humans began planting seeds, forever changing our relationship to the land. Today, the people who sustain that relationship—farmworkers—are rarely recognized as environmental stewards. This disconnect isn’t accidental. It reflects a deeper contradiction at the heart of modern environmentalism embedded in a capitalistic society. Farmworkers aren’t just laborers within environmental systems—they are environmental experts through lived, embodied knowledge. Many have crossed different borders and biomes. They read soil, weather, pests, crop cycles; they experience elemental and chemical exposure firsthand; they know what “sustainable” actually feels like on the body. Yet they…