Description
The San Joaquin Valley Farm Labor collection measures 2 linear feet and dates from 1947
to 1971. The collection is arranged in five series: Yinger bibliography; Office of
Economic Opportnity (OEC) War on Poverty; Chavez, Cesar; Strike and boycott against
grapes.
Background
Agricultural production found a prosperous home in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.
The valley's fertile soil and climate made it a million-dollar industry. Of vital
importance was also the cheap labor provided by incoming immigrants who were willing to
work for low wages. Although immigrants of every ethnicity were working in the fields in
the 1960s, the majority were Filipinos and people of Mexican descent. In 1965 a strike by
the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) led by Larry Itliong was joined by
the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) led by Cesar Chavez. This began the fight
for justice for the farm worker through agricultural unionism.
Availability
The collection is open for research.