Members gather near the Alianza vehicle. Photo by Erich Camping
In 2024, a $50,000 grant helped Alianza Agrícola achieve a long-held goal: owning a vehicle. Now members can get rides to gatherings, medical appointments, advocacy trips, or the DMV.
Worker-founded, Member-led
Alianza Agrícola, founded in 2016, is a member-led organization of immigrant farmworkers that aims to create a better future for farmworkers and their families. Alianza members work year-round on farms in rural Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties.
Crossing Distances to Increase Connection
Each month, the new vehicle is used to pick up farmworkers across a 60-mile radius and bring them to a membership meeting in Geneseo. These gatherings are a chance for members to share a meal, listen to guest speakers on topics ranging from immigrant rights to financial literacy, and to have a voice in Alianza’s events and programming. In the past, Alianza relied on a complex web of volunteer drivers, many of whom are immigrant community allies, using their personal cars to make sure everyone had a ride. Purchased in early 2024, the vehicle has already seen 2,000 miles of country road and village streets.
Members reunite at a monthly meeting. Photo by Erich Camping
“The most important part of having a vehicle is that when someone needs a ride, we’re going to have a way to help,” says Luis Jiménez, farmworker and Alianza Agrícola president. “Lo más importante en tener este vehículo es que si alguien ocupa un raite, vamos poder ver la manera de ayudar.”
Members and Allies Advocate for Rights
The Alianza spent years advocating for undocumented New York residents’ right to apply for a driver’s license. Legislative victory came in 2019, but distance continues to be a barrier for many. Now, Alianza can offer rides to the DMV and even bring members and allies on advocacy trips to Albany.
Luis can rattle off countless stories of life with and without a driver’s license. Having a license means not having to depend on your employer to get to the doctor. Not having one can get in the way of sending money to a family member or renting a musical instrument for a son or daughter. There’s an all-too-common anecdote of the dairy farmworker who can’t drive down the road to get milk at the store. And there’s fear that if an immigrant is pulled over by local law enforcement without a license it can be a way to funnel them into deportation proceedings. A license can help overcome isolation, unlocking the ability to go to a sports game, gather with family at a birthday party, or feel confident taking a vacation.
“It’s really important that people understand our labor and how much our work helps not just farmers, but our entire community. Behind the things that people eat and the products they buy are immigrants, and many are undocumented.”
Luis Jiménez, farmworker and Alianza Agrícola president
“It’s really important that people understand our labor and how much our work helps not just farmers, but our entire community. Behind the things that people eat and the products they buy are immigrants, and many are undocumented,” says Luis. “Es que la gente conozca más la importancia de la mano de obra de nosotros; el trabajo ayuda a mucha gente. Detrás de la producción de estos productos y detrás de la producción agrícola son inmigrantes y muchos son indocumentados.”
Envisioning A Brighter Tomorrow for Farmworkers
Part of Alianza’s mission is to advocate for access to basic services, better pay, more rights, and more independence for immigrant farmworker families and communities. Not having to depend on an employer for healthcare or rides is part of what it means to be independent. Alianza’s efforts aim to help more immigrants make the shift from farmworker to farm ownership.
Lack of transportation is a formidable obstacle in rural areas, and yet our farmworker community is managing to cultivate so much life and vibrancy. This community has strong bonds across generations, powerful and determined organizers, care for the environment, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of children. What more could be unlocked if it was easy for everyone to get around?
Learn more about the Community Foundation’s grantmaking.
