SALEM – Farm worker housing advocates, the state of Oregon Housing and Community Services department and farm workers themselves convened at the State Capitol Friday in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Oregon’s Farmworker Housing Tax Credit and to honor Cesar Chavez, who would have turned 84 on Thursday, March 31.

Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba kicked off the presentation. She thanked farm workers for their hard work and contribution to Oregon’s agricultural economy.

OHCS Acting Director Rick Crager said OHCS, which administers the Farmworker Housing Tax Credit, has been successful because of the commitment and diligence of the agency’s staff and its partners.

Partners, community nonprofits including CASA, CAUSA, PCUN, Bienestar and the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation, were also present for the festivities. Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA and a State Housing Council member, said, “Let’s keep thanking our farmworkers. They do a great thing for our state and its diversity.”

Speakers urged the passage of HB 2154, which expands the definition of farmworker so the state’s farmworker housing tax credit program can work more effectively with other programs. HB 2154 passed out of the House Ag Committee last week and is now headed for the Joint Committee on Tax Credits.

Ken Bailey, Vice President of Orchard View Farms, Inc. and past chair of the Oregon Board of Agriculture said his farm “has used the tax credit to help add 20 new bed spaces and upgrade 275 additional bed spaces for our workers.”

After the presentation, Secretary of State Kate Brown read a proclamation signed by Gov. John Kitzhaber on Feb. 28 that honors Cesar Chavez and declares March 27-April 2, 2011 to be “Farmworker Awareness Week.”

Crager ended his presentation by thanking those present and quoting Cesar Chavez, “You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.”