Diary of an Organizer

Highlighting the people behind the fight for farmworker justice

A Moment I’ll Never Forget

I thought I was just filming another video for Farmworker Awareness Week. We were by the river in Bridgeton, and I was ready to talk about my work with CATA. But then the interviewer asked, “If your mom were here today, what would you say to her?”

Then she said, “Turn around.”

And there she was. My mom. I hadn’t seen her in 14 years.

In that moment, I felt like the 14-year-old boy I was when I hugged her goodbye in 2010. She looked older—but healthy, beautiful, real. That surprise reminded me why I do this work: for families like mine, and for every farmworker who deserves more than survival.

Why I Organize

I started working in the fields as a teenager. I’ve worked in heat so extreme, we had to rest inside even hotter trucks because there was no shade. Cold water felt like a luxury.

That’s why last year, I testified at the New Jersey State Senate to support a law protecting farmworkers from extreme heat. After that, I returned to the fields—not to work, but to educate. I explained what the bill would do: guarantee access to water, rest breaks, and shade.

I also spread the word about the new Temp Workers’ Bill of Rights. Many farmworkers in New Jersey switch to factory jobs during the off-season, often through temp agencies that treat them unfairly. This new law helps protect them from wage theft, unsafe conditions, and last-minute schedule changes.

The Power of Information

One conversation I’ll never forget was with a worker here on an H-2A visa who thought he had no rights. When I explained that he was still protected under state law, something changed. He started asking questions. That shift—from fear to curiosity—is why this work matters.

Mental health matters too. Workers often share with me how stressed or anxious they feel—but don’t know how to ask for help. I’ve been there myself. That’s why I always try to listen. I’m not a therapist, but sometimes listening is enough to remind someone they matter.

Small Actions, Big Impact

In 2021, I became a notary so I could help undocumented workers get driver’s licenses without being overcharged. Now, I bring my notary stamp everywhere. I’ve notarized forms in the fields and helped workers apply for relief funds and get documents from the Mexican Consulate.

We even went out to eat afterward—just a group of workers sharing a meal and a moment of joy. That’s what organizing is: building trust, sharing knowledge, and creating community.

Take Action Today

Every day, immigrant workers are denied basic rights. At CATA, we fight back—with information, with advocacy, and with love.

Moved by Edgar’s story? Donate or volunteer to support immigrant worker justice. Together, we can build a future where no one is left behind.