Our History
Centro Campesino (Farm-worker Center) developed in 1998 out of a grassroots movement led by Latino migrant agricultural workers in Minnesota. Centro Campesino was created and officially incorporated in 2000 with the goal of improving the workers’ and their families’ lives. Building on our community’s strengths, the organization remains committed to its grassroots values. The organization’s key strategy is to address problems identified by our community and we are a membership-based organization with over 600 members from all over southern Minnesota. Our grassroots model helps the organization develop grassroots leadership that enables our programs to have a greater impact in our communities.
In 2001 Centro Campesino organized migrant workers working for the Chiquita canning plant in Owatonna. They demanded better working and living conditions, along with the construction of a daycare unit for their kids. After a long struggle against the company, Centro Campesino negotiated the construction of a daycare unit at the migrant camp, renovations of housing units, hot water, and a storm shelter. This became the organization’s first major accomplishment.
