Why I proposed a bill to celebrate Farmworker Day

California is proud to be known as the breadbasket of the world. We earned that title through the grueling labor, specialized skill, and relentless dedication of the men and women who wake before dawn to harvest the food that reaches our tables.

Our state’s agricultural dominance is staggering: we produce over a third of the nation’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.

This $49 billion industry, which generates over $100 billion in total economic activity for the state, is the backbone of our state. Yet, for too long, our public recognition of the efforts of our farming community has been tethered to a single man.

The recent, horrific revelations that César Chávez sexually assaulted numerous women, some of them minors, demand that we revisit our state’s annual celebration of farmworkers. We cannot ignore the shadow cast over the March 31 state holiday. 

That is why I announced a proposal to rename the holiday to Farmworker Day, which I thought would be an uphill battle given the Democratic super majority in Sacramento.

To my pleasant surprise, Speaker Robert Rivas, a Democrat from Salinas, announced a similar proposal the following day. As grandchildren of farmworkers, we share this passion.

This shift is not merely a response to scandal; it is a long-overdue evolution in how we honor the dignity of the men and women in the field.

All four of my great-grandfathers came to the United States from Portugal with not much besides the shirts on their backs. One came without shoes. But what they did have was an amazing work ethic, a devotion to family, and a desire to achieve the American Dream. 

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Like so many farmworkers before them and those in the fields today, my great-grandfathers woke up before the sun rose, and did not stop working until late into the night. The repetitive motions and constant exposure to weather gave them calloused and cracked hands. 

As my grandmother, who also migrated from the Azores, once told us, my great-grandfather was often exhausted, but he never complained. His story is the story of millions – an immigrant’s journey defined by his own hard work rather than the tainted legacy of a political figure.

The fight for dignity in the fields was never about one person.

It is about the millions of workers who sweat, toil and aspire for a better life.

By re-designating our state’s holiday as Farmworker Day, we will shift the spotlight from the figurehead to the foundation. 

Farmworkers are the backbone of our daily lives. They ensure food safety by harvesting within tight windows, often working through the night under floodlights. Without them, perishable food would rot, leading to severe shortages and skyrocketing prices.

Every meal we eat is thanks to the labor of farmworkers.

The economic ripple effect is massive. California’s agricultural industry supports hundreds of thousands of ancillary jobs in logistics, packaging and retail. 

Celebrating Farmworker Day allows us to honor that entire network of farmworkers – the pickers, the sorters, and the families who keep the world fed.

In the Central Valley, we honor farmworkers – their stories and their work – year-round. We encourage them and provide opportunities for their children to achieve their dreams of a better life.

March 31 should be a day for Californians to celebrate farmworkers free from the tarnished legacy of an abuser. More importantly, we should also use the holiday to honor the actual workers, who have been overshadowed by the leaders who claimed to represent them. 

My Assembly Bill 2407 will be a chance for California to lead with integrity, proving that while leaders may fail, the dignity of work remains constant.

It is time to honor the many – the movement – rather than the one.

Assemblywoman Alexandra M. Macedo is a Republican, elected in 2024 to represent the 33rd District, which includes Tulare, Kings and Fresno Counties.