YOLO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

September 26, 2017

Yolo County Agricultural Labor

Report on needs and identified strategies for farmworkers

Yolo County Agricultural Labor Report on Needs and Identified Strategies for Farmworkers

Yolo County Board of Supervisors:

Duane Chamberlain,

Chair, District Five

Oscar Villegas,

Supervisor, District One

Don Saylor

Supervisor, District Two

Matt Rexroad,

Supervisor, District Three

Jim Provenza,

Supervisor, District Four

Acknowledgements

Yolo County would like to acknowledge the many individuals that were interviewed and assisted in the development of this

report. Their subject matter expertise and feedback were invaluable and form the foundation of the information presented.

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FOREWORD

Farmworkers are crucial to maintaining the agricultural industry and culture of Yolo County. In an effort to further

support these individuals, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors established an Agricultural Labor Ad Hoc

Subcommittee. Through this subcommittee an outreach of stakeholders was conducted during the Spring/Summer of

2017 to determine the needs of farmworkers and potential strategies to address those needs at the local level. This

report summarizes that outreach by detailing the needs and strategies identified by those interviewed.

It is acknowledged that some of the issues facing farmworkers reach beyond the grasp of the County or local

stakeholders to solve. However, these needs are included in this report in order to acknowledge the larger issues

faced by farmworkers and to identify any remedies or assistance that may be within local power to provide. It is the

intention of the County that this report be a working document that will continue to develop and be implemented by

stakeholders and organizations throughout the community with available resources.

Methodology

Information for this report was gathered through interviews with representatives from seventeen organizations as

well as farmworkers in various locations of Yolo County. The organizations consulted specialized in the fields of

medical care, education, housing, legal services, and other assistance services. Those interviewed were asked

questions pertaining to seven major categories: Medical Access, Housing, Food Security, Transportation, Education,

Labor Force, and Additional Concerns. Depending on availability of time and location space, some farmworkers were

interviewed individually and others in groups.

In addition to interviews, data was explored to give wider context to the issue. However, this information is limited

due to a lack of available quantitative data for farmworkers at the state and local level. One of the most recent data

sets is found in the Sonoma County Farmworker Health Survey 2013-20141, which provides information gathered

from a sample of farmworkers. While the agricultural commodities and environment of Sonoma County differ

substantially from that of Yolo County, the make-up of the farmworkers in both counties are likely to be similar when

it comes to ethnicity, age, family status, access to health care, affordability of housing, etc. For this reason, data from

the Sonoma County study is included as the best inference of potential conditions of farmworkers in Yolo County.

For the purposes of this report, references to agricultural labor or farmworkers refers to individuals employed in the

cultivation, maintenance and/or processing of agricultural commodity.

1 Sonoma County Department of Health Services & California Human Development. (2015). Sonoma County Farmworker Health Survey (FHS) 2013-14: Report on the health and well-being of Sonoma County farmworkers. http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/publications/pdf/farmworker-health-survey.pdf

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Contents

FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................... 1

METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................ 1

YOLO COUNTY CONTEXT .................................................................................................................... 4

MAP: ACTIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND IN YOLO COUNTY ............................................................................ 6

MEDICAL ACCESS .............................................................................................................................. 7

KEY FINDINGS: ............................................................................................................................. 7

STRATEGIES: ................................................................................................................................ 8

HOUSING ...................................................................................................................................... 10

KEY FINDINGS: ........................................................................................................................... 10

STRATEGIES: .............................................................................................................................. 10

FOOD SECURITY ............................................................................................................................. 12

KEY FINDINGS ............................................................................................................................ 12

STRATEGIES: .............................................................................................................................. 12

TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................................................................... 14

KEY FINDINGS: ........................................................................................................................... 14

STRATEGIES: .............................................................................................................................. 14

EDUCATION................................................................................................................................... 16

KEY FINDINGS: ........................................................................................................................... 16

STRATEGIES: .............................................................................................................................. 16

LABOR FORCE ................................................................................................................................ 19

KEY FINDINGS: ........................................................................................................................... 19

STRATEGIES: .............................................................................................................................. 20

ADDITIONAL CONCERNS ................................................................................................................... 22

KEY FINDINGS: ........................................................................................................................... 22

STRATEGIES: .............................................................................................................................. 22

APPENDIX: LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS INTERVIEWED ............................................................. 24

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Executive Summary Table

Issues Strategies

Medical Access

Barriers to accessing services 1. Provide education on available services and assistance in applying

through an outreach coordinator

Low prevalence of health insurance 2. Increase awareness of the health care coverage options, particularly

the County Medical Services Program

Need for preventive care

3. Provide classes for improving mental and physical health (i.e. stress/anxiety, nutrition, substance abuse)

4. Increase mobile and community clinic availability and the scope of services they provide

Housing

Lack of affordable housing 1. Increase affordable housing for farmworkers (strategy list, pg. 10)

Substandard conditions of some private rentals 2. Ensure quality of affordable rental facilities (strategy list, pg. 10)

Food Security

Low enrollment in public assistance programs for food 1. Outreach on public assistance programs (CalFresh, WIC, Free and

Reduced Price Meals)

Difficulty in accessing affordable food

2. Increase access to affordable food (i.e. Food Bank, farmers markets)

3. Provide food education courses/materials to assist individuals in utilizing available food on a limited budget.

Transportation

Limited access to transportation

1. Establish new routes and increase frequency of bus stops in rural areas, including an on-demand bus service

2. Determine viability of a vanpool program

Lack of knowledge regarding transit services 3. Educate on navigating the public transit system and available transit

services

Education

Lack of affordable childcare and afterschool programming

1. Increase awareness and availability of affordable childcare and afterschool programs

Barriers to educational attainment

2. Provide low cost accessible education classes for adults

3. Provide information to parents regarding college applications and financial aid

4. Promote opportunities for career advancement

Difficulties in school transitions for parents that migrate with their children

5. Explore potential ways to assist migrating families in school transitions

Labor

Labor shortage and a need for skilled labor

1. See Education #4

2. Promote Yolo County as a prime location for agricultural farm labor

3. Diversify crops to high performing and high labor to sustain Ag industry profits and the agricultural workforce

Vulnerability of farmworkers to exploitation 4. Provide education on fair business practices and worker’s rights

Low income common among workers 5. Assist farmworkers in obtaining public assistance, health insurance,

affordable healthy food, low cost childcare and access to education Additional Concerns

Fear of deportation

1. Provide information on citizenship and the rights of farmworkers to both adults and youth

2. Explore providing low cost legal assistance for preparation and/or representation

3. Consider passing a resolution in support of immigrants

4. Advocate regarding immigration reform

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Yolo County Context

Yolo County is situated in the rich agricultural regions of California’s Central Valley and the Sacramento River Delta.

For this reason the County has a large agricultural industry and is a significant producer of agricultural commodities.

According to the most recent Yolo County Agricultural Crop Report, the gross value of agricultural production in

the County reached $661,752,000 in 2015 and the top three crops for the region were tomatoes, almonds and wine

grapes, respectively.2

When it comes to agricultural labor, one of the most recent estimates for farmworkers in Yolo County comes from

the 2015 Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages (QCEW) of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As shown in the

table below, the estimated number of farmworkers in 2015 is approximately 6,732 and above; when combining the

farmworkers hired directly by growers and those hired for contracted agricultural services. While 442 farms employ

farmworkers, the number at each farm is unknown.3

Another estimation of farmworkers is found in a 2014 research study that placed the total number of farmworkers

with primary work in Yolo County at approximately 8,700. This was found through examining the social security

numbers reported by agricultural employers to the Employment Development Department.9

2 Yolo County Department of Agriculture and Weights & Measures. (2015). Yolo County Agricultural Crop Report 2015. http://www.yolocounty.org/home/showdocument?id=37378. 3 United States Department of Agriculture. (2012). 2012 Census of Agriculture. (vol. 1, ch. 2: County Level Data). https://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/California/ 4 United States Department of Labor. 2015 QCEW Data Files. https://www.bls.gov/cew/datatoc.htm. The base number in the range is derived using the 2015 monthly QCEW employment data. The month with the highest number of farmworkers directly hired by growers was 2,764 in August 2015. This number forms the base of the range with the US Census number of farmworkers jobs, 5,155, as the peak hired. 5 United States Department of Labor. 2015 QCEW Data Files. Farm Labor Contractors form a large portion of contracted agricultural service employers and hired a peak of 3,968 workers in Yolo County in August 2015. However, the number of farmworkers employed in Yolo County by out of county Farm Labor Contractors, are not accounted for in the QCEW data. Therefore, the number of workers employed by contracted agricultural service employers in Yolo County is likely higher than 3,968. 6 United States Department of Agriculture. (2012). 2012 Census of Agriculture. (Volume 1)(Chapter 2: County Level Data). 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 Philip Martin, Brandon Hooker, Muhammad Akhtar and Marc Stockton. (August 2016). “How many workers are employed in California agriculture?” California Agriculture. (vol. 71, 1). https://ucanr.edu/repositoryfiles/ca2016a0011-162257.pdf.

Number of Farmworkers

Number of Farmworkers Hired Directly by Growers4 (2015) Estimated 2,764 and above

Number of Farmworkers Hired for Contracted Agricultural

Services (including those hired by Farm Labor Contractors) 5 (2015)

Estimated at 3,968 and above

Number of Farms

Number of Farms that Hire Workers6 (2012) 442 Number of Farms that Contract for Labor7 (2012) 301

Total Number of Farms in Yolo County8 (2012) 1,011

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It was estimated by most of the individuals interviewed for this report that a large portion of farmworkers in Yolo

County are permanent year-round residents that live locally, either in rural towns close to the farms or in the cities,

particularly Winters and Woodland, where there are more abundant affordable housing options. There are also a

number of migrant, or seasonal, farmworkers that come to the County and rent privately or live in farmworker or

migrant housing. Throughout California a trend has been seen where agricultural employers are increasingly

obtaining farmworkers through Farm Labor Contractors (FLC) rather than employing them directly.10 FLCs can be

local or bring workers from other locations. In Yolo County FLCs are utilized and appear to employ a significant

number of farmworkers in the area.

It is possible that some farmworkers in Yolo County are certified as temporary workers under the federal H-2A

nonimmigrant program. This program provides temporary visas through farm employers for short-term agricultural

labor if the number of available domestic workers is deemed insufficient. In federal FY 2015 the United States

Department of Labor certified in California 155 employers for H-2A workers and certified 8,591 positions.11

However, the number of farmworkers in Yolo County through the H-2A program is unknown.

The attached map (see pg. 6) displays the location of active agricultural land in Yolo County and helps to provide an

idea of the areas where farmworkers live and/or commute to in the County. It is likely that some workers commute

either from nearby areas such as Dixon and Sacramento or even further, particularly if they are employed through an

FLC.

10 Philip Martin, Brandon Hooker, Muhammad Akhtar and Marc Stockton. (August 2016). “How many workers are employed in California agriculture?” California Agriculture. (vol. 71, 1). https://ucanr.edu/repositoryfiles/ca2016a0011-162257.pdf. 11 United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. (2015). Office of Foreign Labor Certification Annual Report 2015. https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/OFLC_Annual_Report_FY2015.pdf

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MAP: Active Agricultural Land in Yolo County

Yolo County Department of Agriculture and Weights & Measures. (2014). GIS Crop Data 2009-2014.

http://www.yolocounty.org/community-services/planning-public-works/geographic-information-system-gis/data-downloads

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Medical Access This section details the top issues and potential solutions that hinder farmworkers and their families from accessing

medical care, as identified by the individuals interviewed.

Key Findings:

Barriers prevent access to available services

Six barriers exist that ultimately deter farmworkers from seeking available services.

1) Knowledge of available services: There is often a lack of knowledge among farmworkers as to what services are

available to them. Even some local non-profits and health care providers are unclear or unaware of what services

farmworkers may qualify for due to the complications of legal status and the various programs provided by different

agencies. For those who do sign up for services, some do not fully understand how the services work and what they

are entitled too, particularly when it comes to utilizing medical insurance.

2) Language: A barrier in language can be an impediment to accessing services, especially for farmworkers that speak

indigenous languages rather than Spanish. Many services require filling out forms but some farmworkers do not read

and/or write and some may not be familiar with the formal Spanish utilized on forms.

3) Computer Literacy: Online applications are a common occurrence and some farmworkers are unfamiliar with how

to utilize a computer.

4) Deportation Fear: Many farmworkers are hesitant to apply for services because they fear it will result in their

deportation. Some individuals have this fear even if they are a legal resident. Trust is an important factor in getting

farmworkers to apply for services in which they qualify.

5) Transportation: Some farmworkers and their families do not

have a reliable source of transportation or are not aware of a

reliable public transportation resource. This results in their

inability to sign up for and ultimately utilize services. Either

workers do not have a private vehicle, their vehicle is taken to the

job site and the family at home is left without transportation, bus

service is not a feasible option, or individuals are not confident in

navigating public transportation.

6) System Flexibility: The hours to receive basic medical care or

apply for medical services are traditionally weekdays from 8am-

5pm. Farmworkers work long hours during the weekdays in rural

areas and must therefore leave work to sign up for and access

services. Due to the poverty and limited transportation of many

workers, this is not a feasible option. Additionally, the structure

or process for signing up for services can be rigid in a way that

adds a burden on farmworkers; such as return visits to drop off

paperwork or privacy requirements that may keep a trusted

family member or friend from being included in a conversation.

Low prevalence of health insurance

Farmworkers and their families commonly due not have health

insurance. This occurs for several reasons: either they do not

qualify due to documentation status, they cannot afford the

Data Comparison: Sonoma County Farmworker

Health Survey 2013-2014

Only 30% of Sonoma County

farmworkers reported having

health insurance.

Of the workers that needed

healthcare, 61% went to a care

clinic for their care, as opposed to

scheduling a doctor’s appointment

or going to the ER.

85% of worker’s did not fulfill

doctor’s prescriptions for

medicine, largely due to cost.

44% of farmworkers reported

their own health as poor or fair.

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insurance policy, they are not aware that they qualify for insurance, or they fear signing up will result in

deportation. Those who are insured most commonly have Medi-Cal or Covered California although some,

generally the permanent residents, receive medical insurance through their employer. Few workers use the

County Medical Services Program (CMSP) insurance. When it comes to emergency room visits, Emergency Medi-

Cal is also available for farmworkers. In addition, it was noted by some interviewees that retired farmworkers are a

growing population, so healthcare is an issue that will likely increase in the future.

A need for preventative care

Due to the physically demanding nature of agricultural work and the effects of poverty experienced by many

farmworkers, the need for health care to address physical as well as mental health (i.e. stress, anxiety, and

depression) is high. However, the low prevalence of health insurance results in reduced preventive care among

farmworkers and their families. As a result, some individuals rely on home remedies or even delay seeking medical

attention until they can visit Mexico where treatment and medications are cheaper and there is no risk of deportation.

Ultimately, the emergency room commonly becomes the primary source of healthcare for farmworkers, which

creates a burden for hospitals. However, this primary use of the emergency room may also be a misunderstanding of

the health system by some farmworkers.

One way that farmworkers receive preventative care is through community health clinics and/or health fairs which

are provided in some areas of Yolo County. These are very helpful in rural locations where transportation to service

providers is difficult. However, these clinics often do not provide medications and more detailed work (such as dental

work or minor procedures) must be referred out.

Strategies:

Provide education on available services and assistance in applying through an outreach

coordinator

In order to combat the barriers faced by farmworkers in accessing services, education on available services and

assistance in applying for those services needs to be provided. One way to do this would be through the funding of an

outreach coordinator position through a local non-profit. This position would assist in coordinating direct outreach

efforts in collaboration with organizations that serve farmworkers. The purpose of direct outreach to farmworkers is

to inform and explain in Spanish of available services as well as guide them through the application process. Ideally,

this organized outreach would utilize the same individuals to provide assistance, which helps to build trust and can

reduce the fear of deportation; would reduce the need of farmworkers to make multiple visits to various offices, thus

reducing the need for transportation; and would meet with clients at days and times outside of regular work hours.

Information provided should include services available to both documented and undocumented farmworkers and

their families, an explanation of the various types of health insurance and how to utilize it, preventative care, how to

advocate for health care with medical providers, and information on general wellness (stress, anxiety, depression, and

nutrition). This information could also be provided at the annual Viva La Vida conference for farmworkers conducted

annually by Rise, Inc. Since some individuals speak indigenous languages (ex. Mixe (Mije), Triqui, and Mixtec),

having knowledge of individuals in local organizations that can serve as an interpreter for these languages would be

beneficial as well.

Increase awareness of the health care coverage options

Medi-Cal and Covered California are primary options. CMSP also provides limited-term health coverage for

uninsured low-income, indigent adults that are not otherwise eligible for other publicly funded health programs. It is

also offered in a limited scope to undocumented immigrants, offering basic primary care benefits. These benefits

include 3 doctor visits (primary care or specialty), diagnostic tests and pharmacy care for up to 3 to 6 months.

Ultimately, this form of health insurance appears underutilized by farmworkers and their families and many providers

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seemed to be unaware of its recent applicability for undocumented individuals. Outreach regarding this resource

among local health providers, non-profits, and through the County Health and Human Services Agency is therefore a

low cost strategy to addressing the health insurance need.

Provide classes to improve mental and physical health

As previously stated, farmworkers need preventative care for physical and mental health. One way of assisting is in

the provision of information such as nutrition, ways to reduce stress/anxiety, and substance abuse programs. Such

classes could be provided by various organizations in the community, health fairs, and informational events like the

Viva la Vida conference. This could also be done in partnership with employers. In prior years the Esparto Clinic and

Full Belly Farms partnered to provide health education in Spanish from a public health professional to workers on

paid time.

Increase mobile and community clinic availability as well as the scope of services they

provide

Community clinics are a great source of low to no cost health care for farmworkers and their families and are already

provided in some local communities (ex. Family Resource Center in Knights Landing, YCH Migrant Centers).

However, there is a desire that the clinics be available more frequently, be opened in additional locations where they

are currently not available, and provide additional services (pharmacy, dental care, mammograms, immunizations,

etc.). Provision of a mobile community clinic may be a great way to provide health care to farmworkers by bringing it

directly to them at their worksite. The establishment of a mobile clinic is under consideration by Elica Health

Centers. Dignity Health and Communicare currently go out to conduct health screenings periodically at some local

farms and may be an additional partner for potential expansion of these services.

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Housing This section details the top issues and potential solutions surrounding housing for farmworkers and their families, as

identified by the individuals interviewed.

Key Findings:

Lack of Affordable Housing

The lack of affordable housing, while a statewide issue, is also a

large problem for farmworkers that are low income. There are

long waiting lists for low income housing and the farmworker and

migrant housing units generally do not accept single adults, further

reducing their options. Employer provided housing has decreased

substantially and only a few of the larger farms still provide such

housing. The limited and high cost housing market results in many

people crowding together in private rentals or even commuting

from areas where they are able to obtain housing. This is also a

problem for the aging farmworker population, where some

individuals have low income and are in need of senior housing.

Substandard Conditions of Some Private Rentals

Instances of substandard conditions among low cost private rentals

were mentioned by some individuals interviewed. Such complaints

included mold, rodents, insects, and issues with electricity and

plumbing. Part of this problem may be that residents are unaware

of their rights and who to contact to have such issues fixed.

Additionally, legal status may prevent reporting. Ultimately, the extent of this problem among rental housing in Yolo

County is unknown.

Strategies:

Increase affordable housing for farmworkers

This is a large issue at the state level, however there are several potential strategies to assist at the local level:

1) Increase affordable housing for farmworkers. Farmworker housing is in popular demand. Currently, efforts at

expansion of such housing units are underway through Mutual Housing, but more are needed.

2) Encourage production of affordable inclusionary housing units through the County’s Inclusionary Housing

Ordinance. The County ordinance requires new developments to contain a certain percentage of affordable

housing. Enforcing this ordinance through requiring affordable housing units onsite or a higher in lieu fee may be

an efficient means of increasing the production of affordable housing for farmworkers as well as other low

income individuals.

3) Advocate for federal (USDA and HUD) and state funding for farmworker housing; particularly for single adults.

Having a variety of housing units, that include one bedroom units, could accommodate single farmworkers of any

gender.

4) Consider subsidizing building permit and other fees for farmworker housing projects. Currently the Yolo County

zoning code already streamlines the planning process for farmworker housing, consistent with state law.

However, the County could assist in providing building permit fees or other fees (such as environmental health

fees) through the General Fund for such projects.

5) Provide housing vouchers or other forms of rental assistance, particularly during the off season.

Data Comparison: Sonoma County Farmworker Health

Survey 2013-2014

88% of farmworkers surveyed

reported Sonoma County as their

permanent residence

Majority of farmworkers qualified as

having unaffordable housing (spend

30% or more of their income on

housing)

67% of workers lived in overcrowded

housing

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6) Explore implementing a tax per acre to pay for farmworker housing (ex. Napa Valley model)

7) Provide information and/or resources on a path to homeownership for farmworkers.

Ensure quality of affordable rental facilities

1) Establish a rental housing inspection pilot program.

2) If deemed necessary, pending the pilot, implement a rental ordinance.

3) Provide information to farmworkers on rental rights and contacts for code violations. This will likely need to be

provided through a trusted source that could assist with the advocacy to get code violations dealt with.

4) If a need for greater rental property code enforcement is determined, increase resources in the form of staff

and/or funding for housing code enforcement. Housing code enforcement for the unincorporated areas is

handled by the Division of Environmental Health at the Yolo County Community Services Department, which

currently has limited capacity for this service. Each city is responsible for code enforcement within their

jurisdiction.

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Food Security This section details the top issues and potential strategies in securing healthy food for farmworkers and their families,

as identified by the individuals interviewed.

Key Findings

Low enrollment in public assistance programs

There is low enrollment among farmworkers and their families in public assistance programs related to food provision

(CalFresh, WIC, Free and Reduced Price Meals). This is a result of a lack of knowledge regarding the programs, fear

of potential deportation from signing up, and/or a reluctance to accept and utilize public assistance.

Difficulty in accessing affordable food

A 2015 survey of farmworkers in Yolo County, conducted by the

California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS), found food insecurity

among farmworkers surveyed in the County to be 47%. This

amount was almost three times the national average.12

There are several reasons for such food insecurity. Due to the low

income status of many farmworkers, the cost of fresh food is often

too high. Additionally, some individuals do not qualify for the

public assistance programs due to their undocumented status. Many

farmworkers are also located in rural areas of Yolo County that

qualify as food deserts. This means that affordable fresh food is

difficult to obtain due to limited access to supermarkets/grocery

stores, lack of transportation to such stores, and cost. Some rely

instead on food bank distributions or occasional farmers markets.

However, the foods provided may not be as culturally common for

farmworkers and result in workers being unfamiliar with methods

of cooking such items.

Strategies:

Outreach regarding public assistance programs

Greater outreach regarding the benefits of these programs

(CalFresh, WIC, Free or Reduced School Lunch Programs) needs

to be provided from individuals and organizations trusted within

the farmworker community to help increase their access to fresh food, alleviate the fear of deportation from signing

up, and reduce any stigma from accepting assistance. The outreach coordinator discussed under the “Medical Access”

section, could be utilized for this outreach. Additionally, the need for outreach regarding use of WIC, CalFresh and

available Food Bank programs among farmworkers is also encouraged in the 2015 CIRS study.

Increase access to affordable food

1) Increase the provision of fruits and vegetables as well as the frequency of distributions from the Food Bank:

12 Gail Wadsworth, Thea Rittenhouse and Sarah Cain. (2016). Assessing and Addressing Farm Worker Food Security. Yolo County, 2015. California Institute for Rural Studies. http://www.cirsinc.org/phocadownload/assessing%20and%20addressing%20farm%20worker%20food%20security.pdf

Data Comparison: California Institute for Rural

Studies: Report Assessing and

Addressing Farm Worker Food

Security: Yolo County, 2015

2015 survey found food insecurity

among farm workers in Yolo County

to be almost three times the national

average, based on survey responses, at

47%.

31% of respondents did not have

enough food to eat a balanced and

nutritious diet.

15% of respondents said that they, or

someone in their family, ate less or

stopped eating because there was not

enough money for food.

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Distributions from the Food Bank are utilized by some individuals in the farm worker community, open to

undocumented individuals, and are desired in greater number. The provisions are free and delivered locally

which helps to alleviate access issues for those located in food deserts. Currently the Food Bank delivers to

Esparto, Winters, Davis, Clarksburg and Knights Landing once to twice a month as well as to the migrant

housing centers. Although, according to the 2015 CIRS study, regions farthest to the north and west of the

County were not served by the Yolo Food Bank. Access could be enhanced with more frequent deliveries or the

development of a mobile food distribution service. Additionally, some individuals expressed interest in having

more fresh fruits and vegetables as opposed to canned food.

During the time of this study, the Food Bank was anticipating reductions in supplies due to the conclusion of

drought relief funding. In response Yolo County provided $84,900 in the FY2017-2018 budget to help maintain

and expand programming. This should be evaluated in future years to determine if further resources are needed

to maintain and potentially expand current service levels.

2) Support the provision of farm stands/minimarkets, particularly in areas deemed food deserts.

Access to fresh food, particularly in food desert areas, could be improved through the increased provision of farm

stands or even mini-food markets that accept EBT. To alleviate any stigma with using public assistance, the

markets should accept EBT in a discrete manner. Additionally, the markets should consider providing

information on how to prepare the produce they are selling.

Provide food education courses/materials to assist individuals in utilizing available food on a

limited budget.

Classes can be provided to farmworkers and their families to assist them in food preparation and shopping on a

limited budget. The produce provided at farmers markets or the canned food provided by food distribution centers is

not always culturally common for the farmworker community. As a result, education classes should teach various

methods of food preparation and ways to save money (buying in bulk, canning, etc.).

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Transportation This section details the top issues and potential strategies regarding transportation for agricultural farmworkers, as

identified by the individuals interviewed.

Key Findings:

Limited access to transportation

It is common for individuals in the farmworker community to have limited access to transportation. Farmworkers

most commonly utilize a private vehicle to get to work, either their own vehicle or carpooling with other workers.

Carpooling is often convenient, especially when there is a high concentration of farmworkers in the same area. Few

use public transportation to get to work sites. Generally this is because the bus services do not go out to the farm

areas and the hours would likely not match the working hours of farm labor. While most farmworker families have

one vehicle, this is generally taken to the worksite, thus leaving the family members without a vehicle. This makes

getting to medical appointments or obtaining groceries more difficult, especially for the elderly. This can also prevent

students from participating in afterschool programs if they must rely on the public school bus to get home.

Additionally, the public transit system is often difficult for

individuals that live in the rural community to utilize since the

stops are not frequent. For example, the route of Knights

Landing to Woodland has two round trips a day on Monday,

Wednesday, Friday and the second Saturday of each month. The

Dunnigan/ Yolo/Woodland bus route has two round trips a day

on Tuesday and Thursday only. With two routes in a day, that

would leave individuals stranded in town for hours until the

second bus trip. Some rural areas, like the Davis Migrant Center

and Clarksburg, do not have a bus stop, which leaves

farmworkers and their families reliant on carpooling for access to

medical appointments and to get to a supermarket.

Lack of knowledge regarding transit services

Some individuals do not utilize the public transit system because they are not confident in navigating the system. Part

of this may be due to language barriers. Additionally, individuals were unaware of the potential to utilize Yolobus

Special (Paratransit) which is a public transit service for people who are unable to use a regular Yolobus because of a

disability or disabling health condition. This service is available within ¾ miles of all Yolobus fixed routes.

Strategies:

Establish new routes and increase frequency of bus stops in rural areas; including an on-

demand bus service

In the rural areas there is either no public transportation or the bus only arrives on certain days of the week with two

round trip stops. The establishment of bus routes are particularly desired at the Davis Migrant Center and in

Clarksburg. Additionally, more frequent stops were desired by those interviewed in Knights Landing. With more

frequent trips, people may be more willing to utilize the system for trips to the city to get groceries or attend medical

appointments.

Data Comparison: Sonoma County Farmworker Health

Survey 2013-2014

63% of farmworkers reported driving

a car to their job in Sonoma County

and 20% utilized raiteros (individuals

that farmworkers pay to drive them

from place to place).

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Establishing fixed bus services or taxi services (including Uber and Lyft) in the rural areas can be a challenge due to

lack of sufficient demand or ridership. As a result, the Yolo County Transportation District has recently considered

applying for grant funds, through the Bus & Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program, to buy small size buses

that would provide an on-demand bus service for the rural areas of Knights Landing, Dunnigan, Yolo, and Zamora.

An on-demand service could provide a greater reach and flexibility for transportation in the rural communities.

Determine the viability of a vanpool program

Several counties have implemented a vanpool program for farmworkers. In these programs workers carpool to work

sites in acquired vans (sometimes funded through Caltrans, like the California Vanpool Authority). The maintenance

of the vans is funded through fees of the riders in the carpool (less than the amount they would pay to drive a private

vehicle). Implementing such a program would require careful analysis to ensure that enough riders would participate

in the program to make it successful and self-sufficient (ex. SACOG; Santa Cruz).

Educate on navigating the public transit system and available transit services

As previously stated, some individuals in the farmworker community have difficulty navigating the public transit

system due to language barriers and a general lack of knowledge regarding bus operations. Additionally, many are not

aware of other available transit services such as Yolobus Special. Therefore, greater information dissemination to

farmworkers and their families is needed in order to strengthen confidence in utilizing the bus system.

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Education This section details the top issues and potential strategies regarding education, including educational attainment as

well as childcare, for farmworkers and their families, as identified by the individuals interviewed.

Key Findings:

Lack of affordable childcare and afterschool programming

There is a need among farmworker families for low cost childcare, particularly childcare that lasts a full day, as

opposed to half day centers. Farmworkers work long hours which makes obtaining care for their children difficult

and can increase the cost. Due to these work hours, farmworkers also desire afterschool programs for school age

children, particularly ages 5-10. As a result of the low availability of affordable childcare and afterschool

programming, it is common for farmworkers to utilize family members or older children to watch the younger

children.

Barriers to educational attainment for adults

Due to the long hours worked, it is difficult for farmworkers to take educational classes that could assist in career

mobility. There is a lack of English literacy among some farmworkers and some also lack the ability to read and write

in their native language. These barriers to educational attainment keep workers from having the ability to advance out

or within the agricultural industry. Additionally, due to English barriers and unfamiliarity with the college system in

the United States, some farmworkers are not familiar with

how to navigate the college application process and obtain

financial aid for themselves or their children.

Difficulties in school transitions for parents that

migrate with their children

Some farmworkers migrate with their children and as a result

have to pull their children in and out of schools during the

migration. This transition can be difficult, particularly if the

child’s schooling vacillates between a local school and one in

another country (i.e. Mexico). The grade levels are sometimes not compatible and there may be policies that make

this action difficult. For example, one parent had received a warning from the school while another said that the

school wanted the children to have Mexican citizenship to readmit them to school in Mexico, something she did not

want to do.

Strategies:

Increase awareness and availability of affordable childcare and afterschool programs

1) Outreach regarding low cost childcare programs.

There are some affordable childcare programs in place in Yolo County with enrollment availability, such as

at Yolo County Housing’s (YCH) Madison and Davis migrant centers as well as the newly opened SunRISE

Preschool in Esparto. Knowledge regarding these available childcare options should be provided to the

farmworker community to ensure they are aware of these options.

2) Explore establishment of low cost childcare and potential expansion of current childcare

Data Comparison: Sonoma County Farmworker Health

Survey 2013-2014

54% of farmworkers surveyed had less

than a ninth grade education

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In response to the desire for affordable childcare, further options should be explored to determine the

demand in the County and the viability of establishing or expanding childcare. Some areas identified by

individuals interviewed included interest in childcare in West Sacramento, Knights Landing, and Esparto.

3) Explore establishment of low cost afterschool programming and potential expansion of current afterschool

programming

Due to the long work hours of farmworkers, there is a need for afterschool programs for their children.

Transportation is often limited for farmworkers, so they rely on their children taking the bus home from

school. This can prevent children from being able to participate in afterschool programs. Having afterschool

programming in rural areas or at the Migrant Centers are therefore desirable. For example, the YCH

Madison Migrant Center has a free afterschool program called Divertides Imaginacion y Artes Bajo el sol

(DIAS) that is provided by the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network. The residents expressed interest in

having this service expanded, as it currently operates Monday through Thursday from 1-4pm.

Provide low cost accessible education classes for adults

For educational attainment and career mobility the provision of classes for GED, English as a second language, and

computer literacy would be beneficial. In order to be utilized by farmworkers, the classes would need to be offered in

convenient locations and in the evenings. It was desired by some farmworkers that childcare be provided alongside

classes as well. To fit the schedule of farmworkers, classes could be provided online and access to computers could be

provided at centers where workers gather, such as housing centers, local schools, or local non-profits. Internet is not

always available in the rural areas, so accommodations would need to be made, such as the provision of hotspots

through the Yolo County Library’s rental program. Additionally, classes could be brought to work locations through

a partnership with agricultural employers.

Ensure the provision of information to parents regarding college applications and financial

aid

Several parents expressed interest in learning about the college application process and what financial aid may be

available for their children to attend college. They were unaware of where to obtain this information. This

information could be provided through distribution of informational materials or an informative parent’s night in

Spanish. It is possible this is already occurring in some form at schools in the area and therefore, additional outreach

about these materials may be needed.

Promote opportunities for career advancement

1) Establish a low cost educational training program for career advancement, including in agricultural

technology

Interest was expressed in having classes that allowed farmworkers the opportunity for career advancement,

either within the agricultural industry or into another career. This was expressed particularly for workers

who, due to an injury or health condition, are no longer able to work in the agricultural industry.

Additionally, as the agricultural industry moves toward mechanization, classes that focus on skill

development in agricultural technology such as GIS or technician work would be desirable. This could be

formed through partnering with employers and community colleges to provide training paid for through

ETPL-WIOA and using CalWorks for placement. Again to ensure utilization, the program would need to fit

the schedules of most farmworkers and be offered in Spanish.

2) Connect employers with farmworkers that are interested in alternative career opportunities

Some employment opportunities currently exist that provide alternative career paths for interested

farmworkers. Greater awareness and outreach regarding these opportunities may assist in increasing those

connections. For example, the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program is in need of employees.

Employment through this program would provide farmworkers, particularly those living in rural areas, with

access to an alternative form of employment and allow them to assist individuals in need of care.

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Additionally, California Human Development (CHD), a non-profit organization, partners with employers to

hire farmworkers in need of employment, with wages paid by CHD. The Yolo County Community Services

Department has partnered with CHD to obtain workers for various road and bridge cleaning projects. This

allows farmworkers to gain experience outside of agricultural work, potentially gain experience as a project

foreman, and provides an opportunity at alternative employment. The County’s Community Services

Department has hired employees that began working with the department through the CHD employment

partnership.

Explore potential ways to assist migrating families in school transitions

While the majority of Yolo County farmworkers appear to be permanent residents, there is still a significant amount

of workers that migrate seasonally to the area with their families. As previously mentioned, this transition between

schools can be difficult and may conflict with certain school policies. While the ability to assist this issue at the local

level is limited, some exploration should occur to see if there are ways to assist families in this transition so they are

not violating any policies.

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Labor Force This section details the top issues in the agricultural industry that affect the agricultural labor force and some potential

strategies to assist, as identified by the individuals interviewed.

Key Findings:

Labor shortage and a need for skilled labor

Some individuals interviewed stated that migration for farm labor has been reducing and resulting in a smaller

farmworker population, of which the majority has permanent residency. Reasons given for this migration pointed to

changes in Mexico such as a reduced birth rate, expansion of manufacturing plants and jobs, and increased education.

Interviewees also expressed concern that labor may decrease over the next few years with farmworkers fearing

deportation under the current presidential administration. A reduced labor force presents a problem for the

agricultural industry in obtaining an adequate number of employees and can drive up labor prices as well as the cost of

goods.

The federal H-2A visa program does allow farmers to obtain short term certifications for nonimmigrants to come to

the United States to perform agricultural labor if a sufficient shortage of labor is determined. However, the program

can be costly, as it requires the employer to provide housing, transportation, and food for the farmworkers. The

extent of use of the H-2A program in Yolo County is unknown.

It is important to note that while some interviewees discussed a labor shortage, agreement was not universal. One

individual pointed to recent increases in agricultural employment and the number of registered Farm Labor

Contractors as demonstrating an increase in labor. Whether this increase in employment was sufficient to meet labor

demand was unknown. This view also aligned with research led by UC Davis professor Philip Martin which found the

number of farmworkers to be twice the average farm employment job, thus suggesting a stable workforce.13

Additionally, increased labor costs and costs in general have

resulted in a switch in the agricultural industry to less labor

intensive crops as well as greater mechanization/automation.

This mechanization/automation is also caused by a push for

farmers, especially in California, to move towards solar

energy and a reduction in the use of fossil fuels. Ultimately,

this creates a growing need for more skilled rather than

traditional farm labor.

As the farmworker population becomes more permanent, as

opposed to migrant, and farms move to greater

mechanization, farm labor is anticipated to continue to

decrease. This will be due in part to the children of

permanent resident farmworkers not entering into the

profession of their parents but entering another industry

through the benefits of education and career advancement.

13 Philip Martin, Brandon Hooker, Muhammad Akhtar and Marc Stockton. (August 2016). “How many workers are employed in California agriculture?” California Agriculture. (vol. 71, 1). https://ucanr.edu/repositoryfiles/ca2016a0011-162257.pdf.

Data Comparison: Sonoma County Farmworker Health

Survey 2013-2014

92% of farmworker families reported

insufficient income to meet their

family’s basic needs

Single and childless farmworkers

made half the income of a Sonoma

County one-person household

($19,000 compared to $36,000),

whereas workers with families made

1/3rd the average income of Sonoma

County families ($24,000 compared

to $70,000)

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Vulnerability of farmworkers to exploitation

Due to the language barrier and immigration status of farmworkers, they are at risk for exploitation by employers or

Farm Labor Contractors (FLCs). While no complaints were expressed by farmworkers interviewed, various non-

profits described complaints they had received regarding FLCs who serve as intermediaries between farmworkers and

employers and are largely unregulated. Complaints against FLCs include unpaid wages and no workman’s

compensation. Concerns also exist over healthy and fair working conditions on farms such as pesticide exposure,

breast feeding access, hygiene, and breaks. However, these issues do not apply to all agricultural employers and were

not expressed directly by the workers interviewed in this study. The one concern that was expressed by a

farmworker regarding healthy working conditions was uncleanliness of bathrooms at worksites.

Low income is common among workers

Farm labor is commonly regarded as one of the most difficult and yet lowest paying jobs. Many farmworkers do

qualify as low income and struggle to support their families. However, this varies based on the employer and the job

conducted by the worker. While recent legislation regarding minimum wage and overtime pay should assist in

improving this issue; the results are not yet known. According to an analysis conducted by the Los Angeles Times,

utilizing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Yolo County ranked as the 16th highest in the state for

agricultural labor salaries with an average annual wage for workers at $34,289. Napa County ranked the highest at

$41,940.14

Strategies:

Promote Yolo County as a prime location for farm labor

Current services provided to farmworkers could be advertised to help in reducing the labor shortage and maintain

stability for the agricultural industry. Things such as high paying crops, housing, transportation services, and

education programs, including those that help with career mobility in farming.

Diversify Crops to high performing and high labor

Market trends are encouraging for-profits in healthy eating, increased consumption of fruits, nuts and vegetables,

eating local and organic. There is a struggle for farms to jump on board with some of these high value crops, which

are often high labor, due to the initial capital investment. However, these high performing crops can be profitable,

thus allowing for greater attraction for farm labor due to the wages paid. One way to begin may be determining

which crops create the highest number of jobs and have the highest value, which SACOG could be a resource. Such

crops could assist in sustaining profits of the agricultural industry and provide higher paying agricultural jobs for

farmworkers, thus helping to sustain the workforce.

Provide education on fair business practices and worker’s rights

To combat the vulnerability of farmworkers to exploitation, education should be provided to businesses and

farmworkers through partnerships with local organizations. The provision of education on fair business practices,

particularly among FLCs, should be explored. For farmworkers education should be provided regarding their rights

and available resources to safely seek assistance.

Assist farmworkers in obtaining public assistance, health insurance, affordable healthy

food, low cost childcare, and access to education

14 Ben Walsh. (2017). “California-Crop-Production-Wage Analysis”. https://github.com/datadesk/california-crop-production-wages-analysis/blob/master/03-analysis.ipynb. From Natalie Kitroeff and Geoffrey Mohan. (2017). Wages Rise on California farms. Americans still don’t want the job. Los Angeles Times.

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Low income among farmworkers is a challenging issue to solve, however there are some ways to assist at the local

level to counter the effects of low income. This consists of many of the strategies listed previously in this report such

as helping workers obtain public assistance, sign up for health insurance, have access to affordable healthy food, low

cost childcare, and the opportunity to receive education for career advancement.

Promote opportunities for career advancement

As previously mentioned under the “Education” section, interest was expressed in having classes that allowed

farmworkers the opportunity for career advancement, either within the agricultural industry or into another career.

This can be done through the establishment of a low cost educational training program for career advancement,

including in agricultural technology. As the agricultural industry moves toward mechanization, classes could assist in

this transition by focusing on skill development in agricultural technology such as GIS or technician work.

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Additional Concerns This section details any additional issues and potential strategies regarding farmworkers, as identified by the

individuals interviewed, that fell outside the parameters of the previous sections.

Key Findings:

Fear of deportation

There is a great fear among the farmworker community, among both individuals that are legal immigrants and those

that are undocumented, that they may be deported. This fear is at an all-time high due to the current presidential

administration. This fear keeps individuals from signing up for public assistance services for which they may qualify

and some individuals are already leaving in order to avoid potential deportation.

Site Specific Requests

While interviewing farmworkers at various locations in the County, there were some requests for specific amenities

at their current place of residence that fell outside of the larger categories. These included things like access to onsite

computers and a coin machine in the laundry room. These requests were provided to property management.

Strategies:

Provide information on citizenship and the rights of farmworkers to both adults and youth

There are individuals who would desire to acquire citizenship, especially under rising deportation concerns. Some

individuals are eligible permanent U.S. residents that may qualify for citizenship through naturalization and would

therefore welcome classes that guide them through the process or private, low interest loans to cover the costs.

Estimates from the University of Southern California’s Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, placed the

number of eligible adults in Yolo County for naturalization at 8,948 (5.6% of adults).15 An example of a current

resource, is at the Yolo County Library, which recently established a ‘U.S. Citizenship Corner’ at seven of their

branches to provide free information to individuals on obtaining citizenship.

Information, such as “Know Your Rights” sessions, would also be beneficial in informing farmworkers and their

families of their rights and helping to provide some alleviation of fear. This fear is evident both for adults and for

youth who may be concerned with deportation for their family. Such information could be provided to adults at

worksites or through classes and to concerned youth through local schools.

Explore providing low cost legal assistance for preparation and/or representation of farmworkers

facing deportation

Assistance with plan preparation if deportation occurs is a desperate concern and need of farmworkers. Many

undocumented farmworkers fear what would happen to their children, themselves, and their property if deportation

occurred. Undocumented individuals need to know what their rights are and how to make preemptory preparations.

The City of Sacramento recently set aside funds to pay for a legal network to provide legal assistance (preparation and

representation) to undocumented individuals. Additionally, there may be non-profit organizations that could provide

similar assistance.

15 Center for the Study of Immigrant Immigration, University of Southern California. “Interactive Map: Eligible-To-Naturalize Populations in the U.S.” http://dornsife.usc.edu/csii/eligible-to-naturalize-map/.

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Consider passing a resolution to affirm Yolo County’s support of immigrants

Some interviewees suggested that Yolo County consider passing a resolution to provide assurance to farmworkers on

Yolo County’s commitment to support immigrants. During the course of the outreach for this report, the Yolo

County Board of Supervisors adopted such a resolution on March 7, 2017. Similar resolutions have also occurred in

the Sonoma County towns of Healdsburg, Windsor, and Sebastopol to help alleviate fear of deportation.

Advocate regarding immigration reform

In order to alleviate fears regarding deportation, alterations in policies and laws may be necessary. While these laws

are outside of the direct control of the County, such change can be actively advocated by County representatives and

by local organizations.

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Appendix: List of Organizations and

Individuals Interviewed

Organization Representatives Interviewed California Human Development Blanca Barba

Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency

Nolan Sullivan

Empower Yolo Josie Enriquez

Yolo County Farm Bureau Yolo County Farm Bureau

RISE, Incorporated Tico Zendejas

Center for Land Based Learning Mary Kimball

CA Institute for Rural Studies/UCD Dr. Don Villarejo

La Cooperativa Campesino de California Marco Lizarraga

Health Access Anthony Wright

Yolo County Office of Education Jesse Ortiz

Mutual Housing Vanessa Guerra

Yolo County Housing Authority Lisa Baker

Western Center on Law & Poverty Jessica Bartholow

Legal Services of Northern CA Alysa Meyer

UC Davis Center for Regional Change Jonathan London & Bernadette Austin

UC Davis Chicano/Chicana Studies Natalia Deeb-Sossa

Sacramento Area Council of Governments David Shabazian

Farmworkers-Woodland 20 individuals

Farmworkers-Migrant Camps (Madison & Davis)

7 (Madison) and 8 (Davis) individuals

Farmworkers-West Sacramento 5 individuals

Farmworkers-Clarksburg 3 individuals

Farmworkers-Knights Landing 8 individuals