Voice of the Fields - February 22 2011

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

February 22, 2011

FREE

Volume 21, Number 2

One-Stop Career Centers

T

hroughout the year, there may be times when you or a family member may be unemployed due to the seasonal nature of the Agriculture Industry and looking for work in other areas.

One-Stop Career Centers throughout the state can help provide access to services for both adults and youth concerning employment, education and training, as well as guidance for obtaining other assistance. While all One-Stop centers provide specific services, many provide additional services that reflect the needs of the area that is being served.

One-Stop Career Centers provide many helpful resources for your work search efforts in one convenient place.

Established under the Workforce Investment Act, One-Stop Career Centers offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services. Residents can visit a center in person or connect to the center’s information through a computer. California also provides OneStop Career Center services remotely through freestanding electronic kiosks and mobile units that travel to areas where constant services are not available.

One-Stop centers use varied strategies in providing the appropriate services to meet the needs of their customers: n Core Services are available and include,

in part, labor market information, initial assessment of skill levels, and job search and placement assistance. n Intensive Services are available to eligible unemployed individuals who have completed at least one core service, but have not been able to obtain employment, or employed individuals needing additional services to obtain or keep employment that will lead to personal self-sufficiency. n Training Services are available to eligible individuals who have met the requirements for intensive services and have not been able to obtain or keep employment. Individual Training Accounts are established to finance training based upon the individual’s choice of selected training programs.

One-Stop Career Centers One-Stop Career Centers reduce poverty and unemployment by helping low-income and other disadvantaged citizens to increase their earning power through improved skills. The Career Centers work to support the state’s business climate by assisting local employers to find and train qualified workers and ensuring a skilled workforce.

To find a One-Stop Career Center in your local area, see your local telephone directory. You may also visit

http://www.servicelocator or the Employment Development Department (EDD) website at www.edd.ca.gov and www.caljobs.ca.gov.

The following offices in your area can also help you with services Center for Employment Training 701 Vine Street San Jose, CA 95110 408.534.5360 sanjose@cet2000.org California Human Development 3315 Airway Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Phone: 707-523-1155 Fax: 707-523-3776 Central Valley Opportunity Center 6838 Bridget Court P.O. Box 1389 Winton, CA 95388 tel 209.357.0062 Employers’ Training Resource Administrative Offices 1600 East Belle Terrace Bakersfield, CA 93307 (661) 325-HIRE Proteus, Inc. 1830 N. Dinuba Blvd.

Visalia, CA 93291 Phone (559) 733-5423 Fax (559) 738-1137 info@proteusinc.org

California programs work to end hunger in our communities

G

iven the fluctuating nature of the Agriculture industry, there may be periods of time when workers are unemployed or in need of assistance.

The State of California and partnering organizations provide a number of assistance services to help those in need obtain our most basic necessities, such as food.

CalFresh Program The CalFresh Program provides those in need with a monthly benefit to buy food at most supermarkets and some farmers markets. The benefit is based on the size of your household, your income level, your property and your bills.

The CalFresh program allows you to buy nutritious food for your family, as well as plants and seeds to grow food on your own with food stamps. While there are some limitations to what you can buy with food stamps, including alcohol and tobacco products, this program helps many Californians provide their families with the fresh, healthy food they need.

How to apply for the CalFresh Program To get information on the CalFresh Program you can visit C4yourself, an online application system that will assist you in applying for benefits at www. c4yourself.com or you can print out an application at www.dss.cahwnet.gov/ foodstamps. You can also call the CalFresh information line at 1-877-847-3663.

Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) & Local Food Bank Information The Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP), provides low-income individuals and households with surplus commodities donated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, the program also administers privately donated products as well. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) works with food banks in each county to serve as part of the distribution network.

Food Banks throughout the state provide individuals and communitybased organizations with food in a coordinated effort running off volunteers and community involvement. While some counties have more than one Food

Bank to serve residents, there are some counties that have no Food Banks and rely on those in neighboring counties.

These commodities are provided to qualifying recipients at no cost.

To qualify, recipients must meet the eligibility criteria in accordance with USDA Regulations, including that they reside in the geographical area being served. The recipient may be asked to present evidence that they live in the service area, such as a Driver’s License.

However, if documented proof of residency cannot be supplied, food may not be denied to the recipient if they agree to sign an EFAP Certification of Eligibility form (EFA-7).

To find a food bank in your area, visit http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/efap/ PG1910.htm

It’s tax Season – Do you have your W-2?

S

tate and federal personal income tax returns for 2010 are due on April 18, 2011.

Employers are required to mail out employee W-2 forms needed for filing income tax returns by January 31, 2011. If you have not received your W-2, contact your employer and ask for another copy and make sure that they have your correct address and contact information.

Once you have your W-2 you are able to file your State and Federal income tax returns. Other items you will need to file your tax returns include: n Valid Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents n Birth dates for primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return n Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers n Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099) n A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available n Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit n Other relevant information about income and expenses

Financial aid can help Californians cultivate their future

T

he state’s current economic downturn has provided many Californians, including farmworkers and/or their children, with the opportunity to begin or go back to college.

Many of these students are attending California community colleges, rather than more expensive four-year institutions.

In fact, California Community Colleges are the state’s largest provider of affordable career training.

Still, many residents find it difficult to manage the financial burden a continuing education can bring.

The “I Can Afford College” campaign is a statewide, financial aid awareness initiative sponsored by the State of California and the California Community Colleges. The campaign educates current and prospective students that financial aid is available— now and year-round—to help make their

dreams of higher education a reality.

The California Community Colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. They are the largest system of higher education in the nation with 112 colleges serving 2.76 million students per year. During the 2009-10 academic year, over one million of these students received financial aid totaling approximately $2.2 billion.

In spite of the large number of students receiving financial aid, there are likely many more that are eligible. Latino students now make up more than half of the students in California’s public schools, most of who will soon be heading to college. Currently, Latinos represent 30% of all Community College students, but only a portion of them are financial aid recipients, leaving a large portion unaccounted for.

Research shows many students don’t believe they qualify for aid and therefore do not apply, leaving millions of financial aid dollars unused. Financial aid, such as a fee waiver, grants, scholarships, work study programs and loans, is available yearround to help students pay for fees, books, supplies, and sometimes even rent.

Students who enroll full-time may have access to more financial aid and are more likely to complete their education. All students who need assistance paying for college are encouraged to apply.

Visit the bilingual English and Spanish website, icanaffordcollege.com, for detailed financial aid information, to begin the application process and to locate financial aid events in your area where you can receive one-on-one assistance. Individuals who do not have Internet access can call 1-800-987-ICAN (4226).

How to Apply for an Agricultural H-2A Job

T

he H-2A temporary agricultural Visa program is a federal program administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA). The H-2A program establishes a means for 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.

For more information about agricultural H-2A job openings, please visit your local Employment Development Department Workforce Service office and ask to speak with an EDD representative. If you don’t know where your local EDD Workforce Service office is located, you may find it in your local telephone directory or visit the EDD website at www.edd. ca.gov. You may also access all the H-2A

job openings in California by visiting the State’s employment website at www. caljobs.ca.gov.

To view all agricultural H-2A jobs in the U.S., visit the U.S. Department of Labor website at www.icert.doleta.gov.

To apply for any agricultural H-2A job, you must have authorization and the right to work in the U.S. You must also qualify, be available, and be willing to perform the job.

California Crop Report WEATHER An upper level high pressure ridge had developed over the California coast at the start of the week and grew stronger as the week progressed, bringing fair skies and dry conditions to the State. Cold weather systems passing well to the north and coast of California did set up a strong low level pressure gradient, which resulted in a fairly strong offshore flow, bringing very dry conditions to Southern California.

This offshore flow also affected Northern California and brought an end to the persistent Central Valley fog. It also brought fairly warm conditions to the central coast region. The high pressure ridge remained in place until the weekend, when its axis began to shift slightly east, as a Pacific storm system began to approach the coast. Still, the weekend’s weather was the warmest for much of the State. No significant precipitation was recorded in the State this week.

FIELD CROPS

Work in the San Joaquin Valley continued with plowing, disking, planting, and spraying in fields. Rice fieldwork in the Sacramento Valley continued with the drainage of fields and incorporation of rice straw into the soil. Saturated lowlying areas have dried and affected crops were recovering. Dryland grain fields received adequate winter precipitation and established good stands. Forage mixes, as well as winter wheat, barley, and oats, continued to mature as temperatures warmed to spring levels. Grain fields in the Central Valley received their

first irrigation of the season. Alfalfa field maintenance continued with established fields being treated for weeds, while new fields were planted and emerging for the upcoming season.

FRUIT CROPS

The navel orange, mandarin, lemon, pummelo, and grapefruit harvests continued in the San Joaquin Valley. The pace of harvest has quickened to limit fruit losses due to rind break down. Lemons and grapefruit were also picked in the desert region.

Pruning, spraying, and planting in orchards and vineyards resumed as conditions improved. Peach and plum trees were budding and beginning to show color. Early blooming has started for some fruit trees.

NUT CROPS

Pruning, spraying, and tree removal in pistachios and walnut orchards was performed as field conditions allowed. Placement of bee colonies in almond orchards for pollination continued across the State.

The almond bloom has begun and with more bloom expected soon, most farmers were getting ready for bloom spray.

Meanwhile, the forecast was calling for rain around the critical spray period.

VEGETABLE CROPS

Kern County reported planting of spring vegetables. Tulare County reported mustard greens, cabbage and oriental cabbage being grown for farmers markets.

In Fresno County, winter broccoli harvest continued, and harvest of beets, cabbage, turnips, daikon, green onions, herbs, the choys, chards, and kales were in full

swing. Fall planted garlic and onion were growing well, while some onion farmers reported a two-week delay in planting new fields because of wet soil conditions.

Asparagus and carrot seeds fields were planted. Spring lettuce was emerging and growing nicely. Merced County reported continued harvest of radicchio.

LIVESTOCK Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to show improvement, though the lack of recent precipitation was slowing growth in drier soils. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued to decline. Cattle and sheep grazed on idle farmland, rangeland and semi-dormant alfalfa fields. Calving and lambing continued to wind down in some locations. Bees continued to be brought in to the State for overwintering.

Some hives were placed in blueberries, plum and almond orchards for pollination. *Information from the USDA Crop Report distributed February 14, 2011.

Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 40,000 copies

www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California

7801 Folsom Blvd, Suite 365, Sacramento, CA 95826 Phone 916.388.2220 • Fax 916.388.2426

Editor: Marco Lizarraga Produced with the support of the Employment Development Department Voice of the Fields may be reproduced