On April 17, 2023, the National Young Farmers Coalition voluntarily recognized Young Farmers United, a union represented by The National Organization of Legal Services Workers (UAW2320).
The leadership of Young Farmers is enthusiastically supportive of unionization. We believe that unionization is an act of deep care for the National Young Farmers Coalition as an organization. It is an expression of belief in our values as an organization and consistent with our mission of care for the farmers, ranchers, growers, supporters, and members we represent.
“We’re excited to recognize Young Farmers United and about the possibilities that this development opens up for the future of our coalition. Unionizing offers an exciting opportunity to experiment with new structures and possibilities for the full expression of the future that we so deeply need and deserve, and we’re committed to bringing that future to fruition alongside the newly formed union,” said Michelle Hughes, Co-Executive Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition.
“What ultimately drew me to leadership at Young Farmers is the organizations’ relentless commitment to its organizational values, especially being ‘bold and creative.’ An equitable and sustainable farm future is undeniably one that requires shared power, values workers, and uplifts principles of economic justice, “said Katherine Un, Co-Executive Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition.
While we look forward to what we can accomplish together with unionization at the National Young Farmers Coalition, we acknowledge the many farmers and farmworkers who are denied the legal or de facto right to organize. We are committed to collaboration and communication throughout our organization and are looking forward to collective bargaining. We hope our efforts will be a successful model for other organizations, partners, and corporations in our network.
“The step our staff has taken to unionize not only demonstrates their deep commitment to equity and justice within our organization, but also reflects a deep level of care and solidarity. We are incredibly proud and inspired by their enthusiasm and collective spirit, which strengthens our overall mission to support young farmers,” said Roberto Meza, Board President of the National Young Farmers Coalition.
“Through participation in our political systems, I’ve seen farmers and food system workers advance democratic principles, along with policy change, benefitting all stakeholders. Unionization brings the opportunity for more democratic and power-sharing principles internal to our organization, while strengthening our commitment to our policy pillars of labor and immigration and economic justice,” said Erin Foster West, Policy Campaigns Director at National Young Farmers Coalition.
Unions are an expression of true democracy and participatory decision-making, which is the bedrock of Young Farmers’ theory of change. We believe that when we work together, we can build the future for agriculture that our communities want and deserve.
In solidarity,
The Leadership, Executive Team, and Board of the National Young Farmers Coalition