Local agricultural worker creates nonprofit to help other AG workers

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A local agricultural (AG) worker has created a nonprofit "dedicated to improving the quality of life" for other agricultural workers in the Imperial Valley.

Ruben Partida says the idea of creating the non-profit “Comite De Accion Del Valle” came after he had stomach pain for days…Not knowing the cause of the pain.

He decide to take a trip to his doctor.

“The doctors told me the cancer came from the longtime exposure to  pesticides and it entered my body," said Partida.

Partida says pesticides are dangerous which not many know how dangerous these chemicals are, and that’s what he hopes to do.

“My purpose now is to help the agricultural community and their families to have knowledge and training on how to protect themselves while at work... how to avoid chemicals from damaging their health... how to practice safe protocols when returning back home and not having those chemicals on their clothes," said Partida.

In a letter obtained by KYMA, Ruben Partida is the Executive Director for Comite de Accion del Valle, INC., and says he is leading the intiative with the following commitments:

• Advocating for safer working conditions
• Increased access to essential health resources
• Environmental education to promote sustainability and well-being for AG workers and their families.

The letter says AG workers "play a vital role in sustaining" the nation's food supply, but they face "hazardous working conditions, long hours and limited access to protective equipment and healthcare resources.

The letter also adds, "Many workers endure prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals without adequate protection, leading to severe health consequences," where Partida said he was the "only survivor among [his] group of workers, as all [his] colleagues succumbed to cancer" caused by the harsh working conditions.

"This experience has driven my unwavering dedication to preventing future suffering and ensuring that no more lives are lost due to a lack of protection and resources," Partida expressed.

To read the letter in full, see attached images below.

A local farmworker, Ricardo Silva, say their work sometimes does not provide the right equipment and sometimes they have to pay for them out of pocket.

"I think it's a great Idea we need organizations like these, especially in the valley," said Silva.

Another farmworker, Isaac Sanchez, says he almost had a heatstroke, therefore, having organizations that care is a must.

"I would get closer to them, you know, because to be honest, safety is everything cuz at the end of the day, we all have family. We all have a place where we love, and we want to get safe to," Sanchez explained.

The founder says the have already started hosting trainings and informational events around the Imperial Valley.

Find their trainings and informational events here.