Abstract The Michigan Farm Worker Ministry Coalition, active from 1978 through the 1990s, worked to assist farm workers’ organizing efforts and to improve their access to health care and education. This collection consists of photographs documenting their activities and the activities of related organizations, as well as audio recordings, posters, banners, and other ephemera.

Abstract The National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM)—original name Migrant Ministry— has been administering to the nation’s farm workers since the 1920’s. It originally operated in southeastern United States and by the early 1940s expanded to aid migrant workers in fifteen states. It was during the strikes and boycotts of the 1960s and 1970s initiated by Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) that brought the California Migrant Ministry and other state migrant ministries to form a national...

Abstract The Orange County Interfaith Committee to Aid Farm Workers was a branch of the National Farm Workers Ministry. NFWM began in 1920 as a ministry of charity and service, providing food, clothing and day care to the farm workers. When United Farm Workers founder César Chávez began organizing in the 1960's, he called on the religious community to change its emphasis from charity to justice. NFWM became the vehicle for people of faith to respond to that call.The collection consists of...

Abstract Philip Vera Cruz (Dec 25, 1904 – June 12, 1994) was born in Saoag, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He worked on farms in the Philippines before traveling to the United States in 1926. Vera Cruz worked several odd jobs around the Midwest, but was not active in any union before moving to California in 1943 and becoming a farm worker. He joined the Agricultural Worker Organizing Committee (AWOC) and soon became a leader in farm workers rights. In 1965 he was an active force in the AWOC decision to...

Abstract UFW Publications is primarily comprised of serials and unique publications created by, or collected by the United Farm Workers of America, the National Farm Worker Ministry and support organizations, which assisted the UFW with its cause. Included in the collection are convention proceedings dating back to the official inception of the UFW, constitutions, bylaws and serials.