EFWA
WELCOME
Eastern Farm Workers Association (EFWA) was founded in 1972 in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. We are a free and voluntary, membership association of farm workers, seasonal workers and others who are low income, uniting to end our poverty conditions. Our membership reaches from Montauk and Orient Point to Nassau County. We are 100% volunteer run and independent of government funding.
Suffolk County Farm Workers
When EFWA began in 1972, the potato industry on Long Island ranked one of the three largest along with Idaho and Maine. Suffolk County farm workers who worked along the migrant stream came up from the southern states and worked in packing sheds to grade and pack the potatoes under harsh, unsafe conditions. Potatoes have since, largely been replaced by other crops.
Today, Suffolk County’s agriculture generates more dollars per acre than any other county in the U.S., totaling $226 million per year. The more than 5,000 farm workers whose labor produces this wealth also support Suffolk’s $3.2 billion tourism industry, which directly employs more than 43,000 people. Despite this contribution, farm workers are relegated to a second-class status.
Illustration by Max Ginsburg
Suffolk County
Ranks #1 in NY in:
Greenhouse and Nursery
Cantaloupe and Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Pumpkins
Suffolk County Duck Farms
Photo by Mike Peel
The “Big Duck” was built in 1931 by Suffolk County duck farmers and is now located at Sears Bellows County Park and is a gift shop for duck memorabilia and tourist information center.
When EFWA began in 1972, many early EFWA members worked on duck farms and processing plants, producing eggs and meat. “There were so many duck farms, that duck feathers would fly in through the vents on your truck as your drove by the farms,” explained an original EFWA member and full-time organizer the late Clifford Cody.
In 1959, Suffolk County’s duck industry peaked at eight million ducks.
Two-thirds of the U.S.'s duck production once came from Suffolk County.
Today, the one remaining duck farm employs less than 50 workers in Suffolk County.
Learn more
What is EFWA?
EFWA was founded in 1972 in Suffolk County, Long Island. Through a members-helping-members approach, EFWA is meeting some of the survival needs of its members while building self-help organization to eliminate the causes of our poverty conditions as a material manifestation of hope, seven days per week, 365 days a year. It was the first organization of its kind in the U.S. and planted roots deep into the low-income community of Suffolk County. Come in and see for yourself!
Economic Backbone
Who are EFWA members?
EFWA's members are farm workers employed as vegetable workers, greenhouse workers, nursery workers, vineyard workers, landscapers and in other agricultural jobs doing planting, pruning, picking and packing. Other EFWA members work as housekeepers, restaurant, food service and other hospitality jobs, in grocery stores, as teacher aides, home health aides, and in other essential jobs that make Suffolk County’s economy run.
Positive Impact
Benefit Program
Concerned Suffolk County residents join with EFWA members to build our 11-point self-help, membership benefit program that delivers emergency food, clothing, donated preventive medical and non-emergency dental benefits, seasonal benefits such as Back-to-School Distributions and a lot more. These benefits are available free-of-charge to EFWA members and are supervised by a council of EFWA members, the Suffolk County Workers Benefit Council.
Get Involved
Put Yourself On the Map with EFWA!
Refuse to stand by as more workers are driven into lives of desperation. A movement for change is growing — be a part of making it happen! YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Illustration by Douglas Fraser
50
Years Experience
40,000 +
Members Signed
EFWA is open to volunteers 365 days-a-year. The more volunteers we have, the stronger voice we create to put forth our demands for systemic change. Jobs with wages we can live on, adequate food, safe and secure housing and utilities are necessities for all working people.
Join as a volunteer today!
