Central Coast Recognizes First-Ever “Farmworkers Day”

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – In the early morning hours, farm workers across the Central Coast made their way out to the fields to continue the necessary agriculture work that often goes unappreciated. Its the same thing they do everyday and will continue to do for days to come, but today – March 31st, 2026 is different – it marks the first established "Farmworkers Day."

The field workers we spoke to say it feel good to have the recognition. The holiday was newly established to replace the former César Chavez Day, the late labor activist recently hit with allegations of sexual abuse against women and girls throughout the 1960s. Now, the day recognizes not just the efforts of one person, but rather the entire generations of farmworkers.

"It was overdue. I've been dreaming about this. We, we deserve that. We need that respect," said Jesus Marmolejo of Marmolejo Farms King Produce.

Each day, hunched, bent, kneeling over for hours, farmworkers carrying not just the weight of harvest, but the weight of responsibility.

According to the state's Department of Food and Agriculture, nearly half of the country's fruits, vegetables, and nuts are sourced from California – but the labor behind the product is almost always an after thought.

As of Tuesday evening, only four states in the country have formally recognized the transition to Farmworkers Day. Oxnard School District is reportedly considering a new name for César Chavez Elementary.

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