Lacey, Wash. – WAFLA, an organization that has long served the agricultural community by addressing labor needs, is excited to announce its new name: Worker and Farmer Labor Association. 

This name change reflects the organization’s ongoing mission to support both employers and workers within the agricultural industry while fostering a stronger sense of community and collaboration.

Since its inception, WAFLA has been dedicated to providing housing for farmworkers and ensuring that farmers have access to a stable and sufficient workforce. The organization has consistently provided education on compliance and regulatory issues. As the association has grown and matured, WAFLA has recognized that the agricultural community thrives when the needs of both employers and workers are addressed.

“The agricultural industry is unique, shaped by the unpredictable forces of nature, economic pressures, and the essential task of feeding the world,” said Enrique Gastelum, CEO of WAFLA. “Farmers depend on workers, just as workers rely on farmers for employment. The success and sustainability of the agricultural sector hinge on this mutually beneficial relationship.”

In a climate where divisive politics often threaten to drive a wedge between workers and employers, the Worker and Farmer Labor Association seeks to promote unity. The new name underscores the organization’s commitment to recognizing the dignity and worth of every individual in the agricultural industry and bringing them together for the collective good.

This change is not just a rebranding effort. It is a public affirmation of the organization’s longstanding focus on the human element of agricultural labor. By including both workers and farmers in its name, the association is making clear its dedication to fostering a thriving and sustainable agricultural workforce and community.

Formerly known as the Washington Farm Labor Association or wafla, the Worker and Farmer Labor Association is dedicated to stabilizing agricultural labor needs and educating members on compliance and regulatory issues. WAFLA is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of family farms and seasonal employers throughout the United States, predominantly in the Pacific Northwest. We are the largest organization of our kind in the country. 

By supporting both farmers and workers, the association plays a crucial role in maintaining a thriving agricultural community. WAFLA member farms work to ensure that our food continues to be produced locally and that those who do the hard labor of growing and picking our crops are treated fairly and with respect.

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Published in the Capital Press, Sept. 23, 3034.