WAFO Safety Backpacks for Farmworkers Spring Project

February 7, 2024

Spring is around the corner and with that comes the busy farm season. Farmworkers will be out in the fields in the next two months, planting crops and getting the ground ready for this season. Extended workdays for farmworkers includes walking and biking along Pulaski Highway and some of the back roads. The safety issues are clear when lighting from the roads are limited and the times that farmworkers may be on the road are usually dark. To help support agricultural community safety, WAFO will be running a Safety Backpack campaign for the fourth year. Last year donations supported the distribution of 100 bags.

The Safety Back packs are made of a reflective orange material which is durable in the field and is visible. They contain other items needed for safety: reusable water bottle; mask; eye goggles; hand sanitizer; work gloves; as well as other items. The design and contents of this backpack were identified by an advisory group of farmworkers, farmers and local health team members.

Once the back packs are assembled, important health information is included in the back packs. The education includes information on heat safety, tick and mosquitos as well as agricultural work protection. Warwick Area Farmworker Organization has a team of trained Community Health Workers who provide instruction to the farmworkers as the bags are distributed. Many of these Community Health Workers have been providing training and outreach to the farmworker community for over two years. The anticipated need for these safety back packs is close to 300, however the donations to purchase the bags will determine how many WAFO is able to distribute.

The cost of each bag and it’s contents is $20 which can be made as a donation to the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization through the website wafarmworkers.org or by check made out to WAFO-P.O. Box 607 Goshen, New York 10924). WAFO is a 501c3-Public Charity which allows for all donations to be tax deductible.

For more information, please contact, Kathy Brieger: kbrieger@sunriver.org

For more information about other programs of WAFO or to become involved with the Warwick Area Farmworkers Organization, please visit the website at: www.wafarmworkers.org or visit our Instagram and Facebook page.