Poder Juvenil Campesino (PJC) is a group of young men and women farmworkers who are changing their community.
Poder Juvenil Campesino means “Rural Youth Power” in English, and there is no doubt these youth are powerful! They are between the ages of 12 and 22 from Lenoir, Greene and Wayne Counties and are the spark of positive change in their community. Since 2009, the group has promoted the well-being and dignity of all farmworkers, spoken against child labor, and practiced environmental sustainability through participating in educational and creative projects such as:
- Photography exhibits, both nationally and internationally
- Panel discussions
- Documentaries and interviews in both print and electronic media
- Community education and research, partnering with Wake Forest University and Eastern Carolina University
- Environmentally sustainable market garden
- Hosting YouthSpeak, an annual youth-led community forum
NC FIELD, through its Poder Juvenil Campesino youth group has established quite a track record with graduating migrant and seasonal farmworker youth. Many have gone on to attend college, or received technical/trade training beyond high school.
The high school graduation rate is currently 89%; those who received post-high school education is 47%.
NC FIELD is proud to cultivate the future of agricultural, legal, intellectual, and healthcare professionals in the Latino community. Celebrate with us our PJC alum listed below!
Yesenia Cuello/former PJC President, AA from LCC; current Executive director for NC FIELD.
Jose G./former PJC President, AA from LCC; NC FIELD Board of Directors
Erick G.,former PJC, AA in Psychology from LCC, full scholarship to UDEM/Monterrey Mexico for Clinical Psychology
Samuel G., former PJC, some college/LCC
Neftali C., former PJC, some college, LCC, NC FIELD Advisory Board member
Tabitha R., former PJC, registered Medical Assistant, TX
Ingrid P., former PJC, G.E.D./successful agriculture business owner
Amy D., former PJC, some college, Case Manager NC Farmworker Project
Samantha E., former PJC, some college
Mildre L., former PJC, registered massage therapist, Miller-Motte College
Adriana E., former PJC, some college
Edgar M., former PJC, deported to Mexico
Eleazar M., former PJC, deported to Mexico
Yesica M., former PJC, N//A – farmworker
Kemberly C., former PJC, H.S. graduate
Eddy R., former PJC, Unknown/lost contact
Silvia G., former PJC, AS in Accounting, LCC
Marilyn U., PJC, Coastal Carolina Community College, 2018; UNC-W current student
Ana F., PJC/NC FIELD intern, Coastal Carolina Community College graduate, NC State University rising freshman
Nathalie U., PJC, H.S. graduate 2019, current scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill
Citlalli U., PJC, attending LCC
Estefany B., PJC, NC FIELD Board of Directors, currently attending Delaware State University
Alondra M., PJC, PJC President/H.S. graduate 2018
Jhaziel M., former PJC, H.S. graduate 2018
Neyda G., PJC, rising sophomore in high school
Esmeralda J., former PJC, H.S. graduate
Gilberto, PJC, on track to graduate high school, 2020
Kevin, PJC, high school student
Nancy, PJC, high school senior, graduates 2020
Laura, PJC, rising freshman high school
Martin, PJC, middle school student, grade 7
Leonardo, PJC, rising high school freshman
Eduardo, PJC, middle school student
Dante P., former PJC, AA from LCC
Jose M., former PJC, some college
Raul, PJC, middle school student
Fernando, PJC, high school student
Jonathan M., former PJC, H.S. graduate & vocational training/LCC, NC FIELD Board of Directors