FACES OF THE HARVEST
Under the vast, open sky, the farm worker toils with unwavering dedication, their hands calloused yet tender as they plant each tree with care. Every sunrise witnesses their devotion as they nurture the saplings, whispering promises of growth and abundance. With each passing season, they pour their heart into the soil, tending to the trees with the same love one might give to a cherished companion. Their fingers trace the lines of the bark, feeling the strength that only time and care can cultivate. It is a relationship of love. When harvest time comes, the fruits of their labor hang heavy and ripe, a testament to months of tireless work. The farm worker's dedication transforms into delicious and nutritious food, shared and enjoyed by many, each bite a tribute to their passionate craft. If the fruits and vegetables that we eat are a tribute of dedication and love, can we return this into tribute of grateful gratitude to those working in the american fields? Hispanic migrant agricultural workers endure the hardship of leaving their families behind for 7-9 months each year, birthday celebrations, newborns, sicknesses and death of their families many times have to be celebrated or mourned from the distance. Technology has made it so the distance feels shorter through video calls, although the feelings of loneliness for having to work away from their beloved ones almost becomes an act of heroism, making the best of their abilities to num those emotions and keep working in the fields dedicating themselves to labor tirelessly to ensure food reaches our tables.
H2A Hispanic migrant agricultural workers are here legally. There are a lot of misconceptions around seasonal workers and here are some facts that may deconstruct ideas that you may have heard about the people that harvest the crops. Farm owners must follow several steps to bring workers from abroad with h2a visas:
1. Demonstrate need: they must show there are not enough U.S. Workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary and seasonal work.
2. Obtain certification: they must apply for temporary labor certification from the U.S. Department of labor (dol). This includes submitting a job order to the state workforce agency (SWA) and filing an h-2a application with the dol.
3. Recruit U.S. Workers: employers must actively recruit U.S. Workers through advertising and contact with former employees.
4. Provide wages and working conditions: they must offer wages at least equal to the prevailing wage for the type of work and provide housing, meals, transportation, and other working conditions that meet federal and state standards.
5. File petition: once the dol certifies the need, farm owners must file a petition (form i-129) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request h-2a workers.
6. Visa processing: after USCIS approves the petition, prospective workers must apply for an h-2a visa at a U.S. Consulate or embassy abroad, attend an interview, and obtain the visa before entering the United States.
7. Compliance: farm owners must comply with all regulations and maintain records to ensure they meet the program's requirements throughout the employment period.
Written by: IRIANA MEDINA
Photo: Lisa Moose / Dancing In My Head Photography 2025
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"The Strength of Palisade" Special Display 2025
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Introduction:
This project was born from recognition, respect, and deep gratitude toward those who, year after year, cross borders to sow life in our lands. Through a photographic exhibition, we seek to highlight the faces of migrant farmers working in Palisade, an agricultural community renowned for the quality of its peaches and the tireless work that makes each harvest possible.
These images are not just portraits: they are living testimony to the sacrifice, dignity, and effort of hundreds of men and women who sustain, with their hands, both the local and national economy. Often invisible, yet essential, these individuals deserve recognition and full integration into our society.
The main objectives of this project are:
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To recognize and value the sacrifice of migrant farmers, who leave their families and their countries behind to come and work in the fields, fundamentally contributing to the economic well-being of our region and the country.
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To humanize farm workers, portraying them as real people with stories, hopes, and dignity, not just as a temporary workforce.
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To foster inclusion and respect by promoting a more just and empathetic view of the migrant community, which is often treated as invisible or alien.
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To combat discrimination and stigma by emphasizing that migrant farmers are not merely "passing through" or "foreigners," but rather an essential and permanent part of the social fabric of our communities.
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To pay tribute to older farmers, those who have worked for decades in Palisade's fields and who today deserve our recognition and gratitude for a lifetime of effort and dedication.
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To raise awareness about the importance of migrant workers in all aspects of our daily lives: from the food we eat to the economy we enjoy.
We aim to invite reflection and change, so that as a society we work together for a better quality of life for these people with greater equity, opportunities and social justice.
With this special display we want Palisade to look squarely at those who have always been there, silent but constant, cultivating fruits and community. Let us observe how their faces speak, and be inspired by the respect and value that the workers of the land deserve.
​​Anahi Perea
Archaeologist & Community Outreach
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​​​​For more information click in the next QR Code
Peach Festival 2025 / Autor: La Plaza, all rights reserved
