Attend Watsonville Farmworker Reality Tour (Peace & Justice Working Group)
Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 3:00–7:00 PM
Watsonville, CA
The Peace and Justice Working Group of the Presbytery of San José invites all who are interested to join a guided Farmworker Reality Tour led by The Center for Farmworker Families.
This tour is an opportunity to hear directly from farmworkers, advocates, and local community members about the realities facing agricultural workers in California. Participants will spend time at a local farm, learn more about the labor behind the food we eat, and listen to stories of migration and daily life in farmworker communities.
Veronica Ota, alongside members of the PJWG, planned this experience in hopes of inviting deeper reflection on justice, dignity, and our call to protect immigrant neighbors. The tour is educational, but it is also deeply relational. It gives participants space to listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and consider how our communities might respond with greater care and solidarity.
The event is free to attend through support from the Peace and Justice Working Group, with space limited to 30 participants. Donations to The Center for Farmworker Families are encouraged and greatly appreciated.
RSVP HERE
*spots still remain, sign up at the link here
About the Tour
The tour will begin at Crystal Bay Farm in Watsonville. Farm owner Jeff Fiorovitch will share about regenerative and organic farming practices and how these methods are used on his farm.
Dr. Ann Lopez, founder of The Center for Farmworker Families, will offer broader context on the conditions farmworkers face in California. Her presentation will include economic forces that have shaped migration patterns, labor conditions, and the lives of many farmworker families.
Participants will also hear from a local farmworker about their immigration experience from southern Mexico to the United States. A demonstration of the strawberry picking process will follow, offering a closer look at the skill, endurance, and care required in this work.
The tour will then continue with a drive through the Buena Vista Migrant Camp in Watsonville, one of 24 migrant camps in California. During this portion of the tour, participants will hear stories from farmworker women and families who have lived in the camp for many years.
The evening will conclude at the home of Ernestina, a Watsonville resident and farmworker. Over a Mexican meal she prepares for the group, Ernestina will share her experience of coming to the United States, working in local farm industries, and raising a family in the community.
Schedule
3:00 PM – Meet at Crystal Bay Farm
40 Zils Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Part 1: Farm Visit and Presentation
Participants will hear from local leaders, advocates, and farmworkers about agriculture, immigration, labor, and the realities facing farmworker families.
Part 2: Drive Through Buena Vista Migrant Camp
113 Tierra Alta Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Part 3: Dinner Discussion at Ernestina’s Home
156 Elm Street, Watsonville, CA 95076
7:00 PM – Tour Summary, Highlights, and Wrap-Up
Important Details
A car will be required to navigate the tour. Carpooling is encouraged.
Please wear casual clothing and comfortable shoes. Participants may also want to bring layers for the evening, a water bottle, and sun protection.
The cost of the tour is covered by the Peace and Justice Working Group. Donations to The Center for Farmworker Families are encouraged and may be made online at farmworkerfamily.org/donate or brought to the event.
Questions
For questions or more information, please contact the Presbytery of San José’s Peacemaking and Justice Advocate:
Veronica Ota
Veronica@sanjosepby.org
(831) 288-8948
If you are unable to attend this date, The Center for Farmworker Families offers regular tours. Visit farmworkerfamily.org/events for more information.