Local farmworkers face lowered protections, wages
For the past 11 years, Ricardo has spent nine months each year at Barber Orchards in Waynesville — and the other three with his wife and adult children in northern Mexico.
“I wish [I could stay] only for six months, but now we are coming for some time — for nine months — because the orchards are being renewed. The big trees are being cut to put in smaller ones,” Ricardo said, adding that the duration of stay at his location is either nine or four-and-a-half months.
Waynesville company sues Labor Department
Waynesville’s USA Farm Labor is suing the federal government in hopes of changing a new rule it claims will cost the company hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of dollars per year.
Vecinos: Serving the invisible neighbors of WNC
The Coronavirus Pandemic has been a trying experience for everyone. Quarantine, the threat of serious illness and job loss have affected millions of people in the United States. But what about those who don’t have access to basic health care? How do non-English speakers find information about COVID-19? How do people without an identification card find COVID-19 testing or vaccines?
Farmworker Health Program receives $10K grant
Vecinos Farmworker Health Program was honored to receive a $10,000 grant from Nantahala Health Foundation, which partners and collaborates with local organizations to improve the health and well-being of Western North Carolinians, to fund a new vehicle to safely transport farmworkers to-and-from medical appointments.
