FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
October 2019
FREE
Your Country, Your Voice
V
oting in local, state, and national elections ensures that issues affecting specific areas and the people affected in these communities have a voice in the final regulations that govern and influence their daily lives and future.
While some localities (such as San Francisco, California) allow non-citizen immigrants to vote in local elections (such as School Board), in the state of California only naturalized citizens and U.S. born citizens are eligible to vote. Naturalized citizens have the same voting rights as U.S. born citizens. Voting is the right and responsibility of every citizen in America, and your vote is
one of the strongest ways you can make your voice heard on the matters that may affect your life. Your vote has the power to change an entire election and shift the focus to issues that affect you and your community. Take the opportunity to make your voice heard by registering to vote in California and casting your ballot in the next election.
How to Register to Vote
By Mail Call the toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) In Person n Pick up a voter registration application at: • Any Department of Motor Vehicles office. • Most post offices, public libraries, and government offices. • Request an application from your county elections office. Find the office nearest to you by going online at: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/votingresources/county-elections-offices/ Online n Go to: www.registertovote.ca.gov • Select your “Language Preference” • Click “Register to Vote Now” and complete the application n
Additional Voter Registtration Information • If you think you are already registered to vote, check here at: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov • Frequent questions can be found at www.sos.cagov/elections/frequently-asked-questions/ or by calling the Secretary of State’s Voter Hotline at (800) 345-8683.
Volume 29, Number 10
How To Vote By Mail
If you are registered to vote, a voter information guide is mailed to you by your county elections official prior to every election. The voter information guide contains a vote-by-mail application that you can fill out to receive your ballot by mail. n You can also visit or write to your county elections officials for a vote-by-mail application. Use this link for more information on your county’s election office: www.sos.ca.gov/ elections/voting-resources/ county-elections-offices/ n Your application must be received at least 7 days prior to Election Day. n Return your vote-by-mail ballot by: • Mailing it to your county elections official. (Use the above link.) • Returning it in person to a polling place. • Dropping it off at one of your county’s ballot boxes, or • Authorizing someone to return the ballot on your behalf. n
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Become a Small-scale Farmer
W
hether you are a new farmworker or have been working in the fields for a long time, you may wonder what to do to advance your career and become an independent small farmer. Most people think that big agriculture companies are responsible for the majority of crop production. However, small-scale farmers actually produce seventy percent of the world’s food, according to National Geographic. In California weather conditions and soil are optimal, and farming resources are widespread making this state an ideal place to launch a small-scale farming business. Commercial organizations only focus on the dozen or so crops that make up the majority of the world’s diet, whereas small farmers can expand on crop varieties to offer more options and greater availability of food sources. Small-scale farmers can contribute to bio-diversity by producing special, unique, rare, or other specific crops.
For assistance getting started as a small-scale farmer there are non-profit advocacy groups and government agencies that offer programs and business training to new farmers and ranchers interested in small-scale sustainable agriculture. The California Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) www.CAFF.org works to sup-
port family farmers and serves community members within the state, including consumers, food service directors, schoolchildren and low-income populations. Another resource for those interested in becoming a small-scale farmer is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which offers a step-by-step guide for creating your new business. Resources include: n How to develop your business plan, n Receiving advice, support, education and training on everything related to small-scale farming, and n How to set up and finance your business. Visit newfarmers.usda.gov/first-steps to get started on your small-scale farming venture, and make a living feeding your family, community, and the world.
Housing Programs for Rural Communities
S
ome rural families may need access to affordable housing in order to sustain their livelihood in rural communities. With the help of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Programs, living in these communities may be more affordable and accessible for qualifying families. Whether you need a loan, grant, or financing help, USDA Rural Development programs offer plans to meet different needs. Most importantly, loans and financing options do not require a down payment. Eligibility is based on income and determined by the median income earned in the area.
Visit www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/all-programs/single-familyhousing-programs to find out more. Other additional housing services may be available in your local area through other local government and community based organizations. La Cooperativa Campesina De Cali-
fornia is a group of community-based organizations that provide supportive services to improve quality of life and increase self-sufficiency for farm workers and their families. These organizations may assist clients with housing (including seasonal and year-round housing centers, payment aid, and hotel
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vouchers, dormitory-style housing with meals included, or affordable rental of single-family dwellings), training, and/ or obtaining a local referral for these and other services. For more information on each of these organizations serving the farmworker community visit: California Human Development Corporation www.cahumandevelopment.org Center for Employment Training www.cetweb.org Central Valley Opportunity Center www.cvoc.org Employers’ Training Resource www.etronline.com Proteus, Inc. www.proteusinc.org
Cannabis Industry Employment and Legal Consequences
W
orking in the cannabis Industry could prevent a non-citizen from obtaining a U.S.A. visa or other immigration benefits, make the non-citizen deportable, or bar their eligibility for citizenship. Therefore, non-United States citizens that are currently working or considering working in the cannabis industry, are recommended to get legal advise before continuing or accepting an agricultural (or any other) job related to the cannabis industry.
Job seekers interested in the Cannabis industry can contact any America’s Job Center of California for information on immigration services contractors through the California Department of Social Services that provide legal resources for immigrants, or visit www.cdss.ca.gov/ImmigrationContractors
Your Voice Continued from page 1 Additional Voting By Mail Information For additional questions, deadlines, and information, visit: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voterregistration/vote-mail/
How To Vote In Person n
Locate your local polling place by:
• Checking the back page
of your Voter Information Guide that the county elections office sent to you.
• If you do not have the
Update:
Public Charge
L
ast month, we wrote about efforts by the Federal Government related to Public Charge. Public Charge is a term used in immigration law to refer to a person who is or might be dependent on public programs as their main source of support. The Federal Government pursued a policy that could deny entry into the United States or adjustment to lawful permanent resident status, for individuals determined likely to become a Public Charge. The Public Charge rule was scheduled to take effect on October 15, 2019. However, on October 11, 2019 federal judges issued preliminary restrictions blocking the policy from going into effect (in three states including California) until a final decision by the court.
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Voter Information Guide, contact your county elections office. Use this link to find information on your county elections office: www.sos.ca.gov/ elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/ Additional Voting In Person Information For additional questions, deadlines, and information, visit: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/whereand-how/
Wednesday November 27 4pm
California Farmworker Community Opportunities
T
he California Farmworker communities contribute to the great economy of the state. There are around 3 million farmworkers in the United States and California is home to one of the highest populations, according to the National Center for Farmworker Health. In addition, U.S. agricultural workers support the $950 billion agricultural industry and contribute hundreds of billions to the economy. As a result, there are many seasonal Planting and Harvesting and temporary agricultural work opGuides by Crop
portunities in California. These opportunities allow agricultural job seekers to secure recurring jobs available throughout the state. Knowing about seasonal work opportunities and growing and harvesting schedules can also help farm workers improve their ability to find new agricultural jobs and plan where to look for their next job. Planting and harvesting guides by crop can improve the farmworker skills to be a more valuable employee. The resources below can help you plan where and when to look for agricultural jobs in different kinds of commodities and learn more about planting and harvesting different crops.
Beyond favorable climate conditions, each crop also requires a specific set of planting and harvesting instructions to reap positive results. Everything from common pests and
Growing and Harvesting Schedules Climate conditions in California are favorable to the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Yet, frost dates, rainy seasons, and cool or warm periods vary depending on the region. For growing and harvesting schedules by region, visit files.ufseeds.com/uploads/California.pdf.
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diseases to plant cravings factor into the overall success or failure of a given crop. For complete planting and harvesting guides by crop, visit www.ufseeds. com/seed-to-harvest/. Whether you are an expert on a specific crop, looking to learn and work on different crops, or are looking for seasonal and temporary agricultural work opportunities, visit your nearest America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM or go to www.caljobs. ca.gov for more information.
Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract You may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office
CalJOBS Number
Job Openings
16745431
100
16740364
Start Date
County
Commodity
Activity
AJCC
Phone
10/23/19 11/16/19 11/04/19
Fresno
Iceberg lettuce
Harvest, packing
Hanford
(559) 585-3540
100
10/01/19 01/31/20 12/01/19
Riverside, Imperial
Citrus, Peaches, Dates
Harvest, Irrigation, General Agriculture
Blythe
(760) 640-3144
16769913
610
11/11/19 04/04/20 01/22/20 Imperial, CA Artisan Lettuce, & Yuma, AZ Romaine Lettuce, Mixed Lettuce, IcebergLettuce, Celery, Broccoli, Cauliflower
Harvesting
El Centro
(760) 339-2722
16788671
155
11/11/19 04/15/20 01/28/20
Romaine, hearts and mixed leaf
Harvest, Bag/Pack/ Load, Tractor/Machine Driver, CalVan Driver
Indio
(760) 863-2500
16771792
120
10/28/19 05/15/20 02/05/20 Kern, Fresno, Tulare, Madera
Lemon, Mandarin Orange
Harvesting and Row Boss
Delano
(661) 721-5800
16771416
134
10/28/19 05/17/20 02/06/20
Tulare, Kern, Fresno, Madera
Citrus
Harvest, Pickers, Delano Truck/TractorDriver CalVan Driver, General Maintenance, General Labor
(661) 721-5800
16734088
220
10/01/19 06/30/20 02/14/20
Ventura
Celery, Lettuce
Harvest, General Labor, CalVan Driver, Tractor Driver
Oxnard
(805) 288-8400
16788971
100
11/04/19 05/31/20 02/16/20
Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Kern
Citrus
Harvest, Forklift Driver, Tree Pruning, General Labor
Delano
(661) 721-5800
Various
Various
Various locations
Sheep, Goats, Cattle
Herding
Various
Contact your local AJCC Office
Various
End Date
Various
Last Date to Apply
Various
Imperial, Riverside
The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.
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EDDResources Resources EDD
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies
Workforce Services AJCC Locator ...........................1-877-872-5627 CalJOBSSM ........................................................................1-800-758-0398 Monitor Advocate, Report work related complaints............................1-866-289-8356 e-mail:................................................................ madvocat@edd.ca.gov Unemployment Insurance English: ..........................................................................1-800-300-5616 Spanish: .........................................................................1-800-326-8937 Disability Insurance English: ........................................................................ 1-800-480-3287 Spanish: .........................................................................1-866-658-8846 Paid Family Leave English: ........................................................................ 1-877-238-4373 Spanish: ....................................................................... 1-877-379-3819 Ask EDD Request EDD information online:...................... askedd.edd.ca.gov
www.LaCooperativa.org
www.edd.ca.gov
Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone 916.388.2220 • Fax 916.388.2425 This product was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The opinions expressed in this product are exclusive of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner. Content produced by ALZA Strategies, a full-service strategy firm that offers quality media relations, crisis communications, public affairs services, and expertise into the growing Latino market.
Unemployment Benefits for Workers Impacted by Wildfires and Power Shutdowns
G
overnor Gavin Newsom recently waived the one-week waiting period to apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) for those unable to work due to several ongoing wildfires and extensive power shutdowns implemented across California. The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is encouraging to apply for benefits immediately and utilize available EDD support resources.
The waiver allows eligible individuals impacted by fires covered under the governor’s disaster proclamation to be paid UI benefits for the first week they are unemployed providing them a full two weeks of benefits on their first payment. “We strongly encourage anyone
who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the fires or related weather conditions and power outages to file an Unemployment Insurance claim as soon as possible,” said EDD Director Patrick W. Henning. Those who meet eligibility requirements may receive benefit
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payments that will range from $40 to $450 a week based on their past earnings. Benefits are generally paid on a bi-weekly basis as long as the claimant remains unemployed and otherwise eligible. The fastest way to apply for benefits is online. For more information, visit the Unemployment Insurance section of the EDD website or contact the EDD. Other emergency resources can be found here: www.caloes.ca.gov/ individuals-families (English) and www.caloes.ca.gov/ICESite/Pages/ Espanol.aspx (Spanish).