VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project

To view on-line http://www.vtmigrantfarmworkersolidarity.org/node/53

1) VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project Announces Vermont's Silenced Voices Project as Immigrant Rights’ Groups Call for Comprehensive Reform
2) Analysis From the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: Immigration Blueprint Reveals Challenges for Immigration Fairness: Hard Work, Commitment Needed to End Trauma of Current Policies, Ensure Human Rights
3) VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project signs on to Call to Suspend Immigration Enforcement for Census
4) Gardens on Dairy Farms Project

1) VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project Announces Vermont's Silenced Voices Project as Immigrant Rights’ Groups Call for Comprehensive Reform
Last week national immigrant rights organizations met with President Obama to push him to keep his delayed promise of comprehensive immigration reform and others blasted his administration for ‘escalating deportations and detentions’. On Sunday, March 21, thousands of people will converge on Washington to raise their voices for the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Here in Vermont, our response is to raise local awareness by sharing migrant farmworkers' experiences in their own words. The Vermont's Silent Voices Project seeks to amplify the silenced voices of migrant farmworkers in Vermont in order to raise awareness about the experiences, needs, and hopes of some of the approximately 2,000 migrant farmworkers who have come to the aid of Vermont dairy farms in crisis. We hope to engage Vermonters in a much needed dialogue to work for more socially and economically just communities for ALL of those living and working in VT. For more of Vermont's Silenced Voices Project go to: http://vtmigrantfarmworkersolidarity.org/taxonomy/term/1.

2) Analysis From the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: Immigration Blueprint Reveals Challenges for Immigration Fairness: Hard Work, Commitment Needed to End Trauma of Current Policies, Ensure Human Rights

Immigration Blueprint Reveals Challenges for Immigration Fairness: Hard Work, Commitment Needed to End Trauma of Current Policies, Ensure Human Rights

OAKLAND, CA: The "blueprint" for immigration reform recently released by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) points to a difficult road ahead for decent, fair immigration reform. The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is very concerned that the provisions described by the senators would extend and deepen harsh enforcement practices [ http:// http://www.nnirr.org/resources/docs/GuiltybyImmigrationStatus2008.pdf ] that have caused trauma and separation for immigration families, fostered racial profiling and led to tragic deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border of migrants seeking a better life.

Surely, the thousands of people who will rally in Washington tomorrow and in local areas in the coming days, want immigration legislation that treats immigrants fairly, that recognizes their dignity and rights. Unfortunately, the blueprint outlined by the senators and praised by President Obama is not an outline for bold and enlightened legislation. As a "starting point" for real congressional engagement, it sets a low bar for the debate, placing harsh and failed enforcement strategies at its heart in hopes of drawing conservative support, regardless of the human rights consequences of such policies.

Full text available:
http://www.nnirr.org/news/index.php?op=read&id=426&type=8

3) VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project signs on to Call to Suspend Immigration Enforcement for Census
Dear friends,

The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) asks that you please join us in requesting a suspension of immigration enforcement activities in order to maximize immigrant community participation in the upcoming Census. During the middle of March, households will receive in their mail the census form to complete, with April 1 the target date for returning forms.

Numerous organizations have also requested such a suspension, but the Administration and DHS have thus far not indicated that they will take any steps. In the past two census periods, during 1990 and 2000, many operations were suspended for specific periods.

Full text available:
http://www.nnirr.org/action/index.php?op=read&id=298&type=0

4)Gardens on Dairy Farms Project
Several of us are raising plants and collecting seed that migrant farm workers can use to create vegetable gardens on the farms where they work. Many lack mobility and access to affordable, fresh vegetables but can obtain small plots from their employers as well as plenty of organic manure.

We have donations from a number of sources: Vermont Compost Company, High Mowing Seeds, Red Wagon, and access to a greenhouse where we have just begun the process of starting the seed.

There are several ways you could help in this project if you are interested.
1) If you have farm worker contacts, could you solicit interest from farm workers and an agreement from their employer to set aside a small garden plot? You can pass the numbers on to me and when the time comes, I can let you know when seeds/plants are ready for delivery
2) Help with delivery of the plants. There may be a privacy issue here so it is best if I don’t know where they are going.
3) Any photos of the gardens or assessment of the project later in the summer would be useful to pass on to those contributing compoenents.
4) As for right now, we could use volunteers in the greenhouse, which is on the So. Burlington/Shelburne line. Part of the work will repay the owner for use of his space and part will actually be planting our seeds. Volunteers will get a lot of information about greenhouse cultivation techniques, and the work and company are pleasant.

To get invovled with the Gardens on Dairy Farms Project contact:
Charles Simpson, 802-865-5110; simpsocr@plattsburgh.edu