Farmworker Coordination Program Functions

The Farmworker Coordination Program administers grant funding of section 2281 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as well as, funding from section 14204 of the 2008 Farm Bill.

• Section 2281 aids in providing emergency services to low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers who have been adversely affected by a local, state, or national emergency or disaster.  Services include, but are not limited to, assistance with rent or mortgage, utility bills, child care, transportation, food, farm worker housing and more.
• Section 14204 assists agricultural employers and farmworkers by improving the supply, stability, safety, and training of the agricultural labor force.  Services include but are not limited to: agriculture labor skills development; workplace literacy and assistance with English as a second language; health and safety instruction; short-term housing while transit to an agricultural worksite and more.

The Program coordinates activities to ensure emergency services are provided to farm worker communities during declared disasters and other emergencies by:

• Working with USDA, other Federal, State, and local governments to ensure farm worker needs are addressed.
• Maintaining contact with CBO’s to integrate private/public partnerships for assistance.

The Program maintains external communication with CBO’s, farm worker organizations, educational institutions, state and local agencies to keep abreast of emerging topics and respond to existing and emerging problems, needs and opportunities by:

• Maintaining CBO’s lists and disseminating information and subsequent follow up calls.
• Assessing the needs of farm worker community and prioritize.
• Comparing the needs with benefits of USDA programs.
• Attending CBO functions and meet with staff to maintain contact and visibility.

The Program provides internal leadership and council; provides vision, direction and perspectives of the farm worker community to USDA agencies by:

• Disseminating OAO and Farm Worker Program information.
• Meeting with agency staff to review agency programs and farm worker needs.
• Integrating farm worker interests into Departmental programs, including assisting farm workers to become agricultural producers or landowners.
• Maintaining communication with Departmental representation, as well as, agency administration and staff to keep them informed of activities.