As the warmth of the summer sun surrounds us, we pause to acknowledge the tireless labor of Farmworkers, whose quiet dedication and unwavering commitment bring forth the abundance of Maine's fields and beyond.


It's essential to acknowledge the critical role that legal aid plays in empowering these hardworking individuals. By providing access to legal assistance, we can ensure that farmworkers' rights are protected, and their voices are heard. This includes advocating for fair labor practices, protecting health and safety, and addressing the systemic inequalities that have long plagued this industry.


At Pine Tree Legal Assistance, we steadfastly continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of Farmworkers by providing essential support to individuals involved in various agricultural sectors, including fruit and vegetable farming, dairy production, livestock and animal husbandry (encompassing beekeeping, fur-bearing animals, and more), as well as those engaged in the production of wreaths and maple syrup.


Our clients come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including Maine residents and individuals from countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Many of these individuals face significant challenges and exploitation, including labor violations, poor working conditions, and limited access to fair compensation and benefits.


To address these issues, our outreach efforts are focused on reaching farmworkers throughout Maine and New England. We travel extensively throughout the region, meeting with people and distributing informative materials such as calendars and newsletters in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole to ensure that Farmworkers have access to the information and support they need. Click here to view the 2023/2024 Harvest Calendar!


In 2023, our team spent

47 days on the road, visiting 374 locations

and connecting with 895 Farmworkers!


Check out our Farmworker outreach map below!

The blue pins mark the locations where Pine Tree Legal Assistance has actively worked to deliver access to justice to farmworkers.


With your partnership, we can further hone our expertise and create a lasting difference in the lives of Farmworkers who have tirelessly worked towards a more just food system. Together, we can craft a future where everyone has access to wholesome food and every community flourishes. Collectively, we can build a brighter tomorrow where every Farmworker can work with pride and dignity, knowing their efforts are valued and esteemed.



Our clients are at the heart of everything we do, and

you are the driving force behind their journey.


Your generosity enables us to:



  • Break down barriers to justice for Farmworkers struggling with poverty and inequality
  • Provide a roof over the heads of those who need it
  • Offer a safe haven for those in need of shelter
  • Create job opportunities for low-wage workers
  • Protect community members from harm and abuse
  • Give voice to those who have been silenced and marginalized



The pursuit of justice continues because of your dedication.

Become a Champion of Justice now!
Make a monthly commitment to justice today!

*Members of the Bar, please consider donating to the Campaign for Justice


What is your most memorable case/ favorite memory from working at Pine Tree?

"I'm so new [3 months!] that everything I do is memorable! But here's one. Two weeks ago I participated in a resource fair for farmworkers in Caribou. The fair was organized by the Mi'kmaq Tribe. The Mi'kmaq tribe had free food from two food trucks along with representatives from the tribe's food pantry and social services organizations. A group of Mi'kmaq women drummers greeted us with a welcome song and they sang and drummed 4 songs throughout the day. Mano en Mano; Preble Street; and Maine Department of Labor all provided resources to the farmworkers who attended. Mano en Mano provided produce and groceries as well as clothing, school materials, first aid materials, and more. They also provided assistance to complete documents. In addition to handing out our Harvest Calendars and newsletters, I had the opportunity to interact with the 115 farmworkers who attended. Most of the farmworkers are from Central America and working on the broccoli farms. I also helped set up and clean up the resource fair and met all of the representatives for the various organizations. The event was collaborative and for me a lot of fun as well as an invaluable learning experience. We have three resource fairs coming up soon with the focus on blueberry workers."


What brought you to Pine Tree and what did you do before?


"If one believes in cosmic journeys, you might say that I have been on the road to the Farmworker Unit at PTLA for a long time. In 1994 I was working at the Center for Law and Education Nan Heald asked us to do a training for PTLA about how to build an education law practice. I was the person who did that training. Since that visit I have followed PTLA's work and have greatly admired both the work and the people I have met. In fact, somewhere around 2009, I worked with Chet to form a partnership between PTLA and BU Law's Pro Bono Program that I had just started. When I moved to Maine I reached out to folks at PTLA. One of the people I reached out to was Katherine Tarpley in KidsLegal. We knew each other from Northeastern University School of Law where I had been working in career advising. Katherine invited me to attend the Stories Under the Stars event last year. It was the best fundraising event I can remember attending. Around the same time, I saw the posting for the Farmworker attorney position and learned about Maine Rule 89 (c) that allows attorneys who are in good standing in their home states to practice at PTLA while working on being admitted to the Maine Bar. Why the Farmworker Unit? Well, as corny as this may sound, when I was in high school I decided to major in Spanish during college to prepare for a career of advocacy with and on behalf of farmworkers. I majored in Spanish but ended up immersed in education equity due to life introducing me to desegregation and bilingual education, focusing primarily on urban education. I worked in many capacities in education both before and after going to law school. Now, more than 50 years later, I am in the job that I dreamed of and I am incredibly happy, honored and proud to be at PTLA and in the Farmworker Unit."


If you could pick one song to play every time you enter a room, what would it be?


"Put a Little Love in Your Heart original by Jackie DeShannon and covered by many."


This month we are spotlighting our friends at Mano en Mano!


At Pine Tree Legal, we know the importance of collaborating with organizations whose missions are interconnected with ours and support them to ensure they are also strong. We want to introduce you to their great work in our community!


Mano en Mano works with immigrants, migrant workers, and farmworkers statewide, with a focus in Washington and Hancock counties. The majority of community members Mao en Mano serves identifies as Latinx and are from Mexico, countries in South and Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and the United States of America. They work with individuals and families that arrived to Maine as recently as a few days ago; those who are second and now third generations of the wave of immigrants who exited the “migrant stream” to reside permanently in the Downeast over 15 years ago; and indigenous peoples that were here since before colonization. 


Visit Mano en Mano website to learn more about their work and support them, too!


Register Today!


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