Woodburn’s Agricultural Heart
Nestled less than an hour south of Portland, the city of Woodburn stands as one of Oregon’s agricultural powerhouses. The fields of the Willamette Valley depend heavily on the labor of immigrant and refugee farmworkers, particularly Latino families. For decades, however, these workers faced unsafe conditions, wage theft, and limited rights. That began to change in 1985, when Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste — better known as PCUN — was founded to give farmworkers a voice.
Origins of a Movement
PCUN’s roots are closely tied to the broader farmworker justice movement in the United States. Executive Director Reyna Lopez explained that the organization’s founders were inspired by Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers movement in California.
“One of his organizers came up to Oregon and helped us found PCUN,” Lopez said. “The vision back then was to end exploitation and all of the effects that come with that for farmworkers.”
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From its earliest days, PCUN has worked to empower Oregon’s agricultural laborers through advocacy, organizing, and support services.
Winning Protections for Workers
In recent years, PCUN has played a critical role in advancing worker protections at both the state and federal levels. Over the past five years, the organization partnered with the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to secure some of the nation’s strongest rules on heat and wildfire smoke exposure for outdoor workers.
Those protections ensure that farmworkers — who often endure extreme weather conditions while harvesting crops — are shielded from life-threatening risks.
PCUN also worked with state lawmakers to replenish the Worker Relief Fund, securing $5 million for disaster relief. That funding allows farmworkers to access financial support if they lose wages due to extreme heat or other dangerous conditions.
“These resources make a huge difference for families who otherwise would be left with nothing when they can’t work,” Lopez noted.
Expanding Community Services
While worksite justice remains central to PCUN’s mission, the organization’s services have expanded to meet the broader needs of farmworker families. Through its farmworkers service center in Woodburn, PCUN connects community members with rent assistance, mental health support, and immigration services.
“What we hear when people walk through the doors is that people want a pathway to legalization,” Lopez said. “They want to know when they can become citizens after receiving their Green Card. These are the questions that weigh heavily on families.”
By providing a trusted space for immigrant communities, PCUN not only helps individuals meet their immediate needs but also builds long-term stability for working families.
A Network of Support
PCUN is part of a larger network of Latino-led organizations across Oregon. Together, these groups work to ensure that immigrant voices are represented in policy debates and that families have access to the resources they need.
Though PCUN’s primary focus is economic and labor justice, its partnerships strengthen the organization’s ability to address interconnected issues like housing, education, and healthcare.
The Power of “Si Se Puede”
Inside PCUN’s headquarters in Woodburn, a mural featuring the words “Si Se Puede” — “Yes, we can” — greets everyone who enters. For Lopez, the phrase captures the spirit of resilience that drives their work.
“It’s a reminder that our voices are the most powerful when we raise them together,” she said. “We can do it — si se puede. We can achieve change as a community, as a collective. We’re not going to do it alone.”
This rallying cry has fueled the organization for four decades, sustaining victories that have improved working conditions and expanded rights for thousands of farmworkers across Oregon.
Looking Ahead
As climate change continues to challenge agricultural workers with harsher summers and unpredictable disasters, PCUN’s work has never been more critical. The organization plans to keep pushing for stronger protections, broader relief funds, and permanent solutions for immigrant families.
For Woodburn and the wider Willamette Valley, “Si Se Puede” is more than a slogan. It is a promise that farmworkers — once silenced and marginalized — will continue to shape the future of Oregon agriculture with dignity, strength, and unity.
