Chavez. a migrant farmworker who emerged from poverty in the agricultural valley of Arizona went on to organize the United Farm Workers of America. Using the nonviolent tactics of Ghandi with the organizational skills of his late mentor. Saul Alinsky. Mr. Chavez was able. almost singlehandedly. to organize one of the most successful agricultural boycotts in U.S. history. In 1965. when the average wage of a farmworker was $1.50 an hour with no fringe benefits. no seniority. and no standing to challenge abuses by employers. Mr. Chavez became to migrant farmworkers. Latinos in particular. and AfricanAmericans and civil rights advocates in general. a hero. Mr.