NR No. 25-13
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov
What You Need to Know: California agriculture is a $49 billion industry generating more than $100 billion in related economic activity. According to data from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the State produces over a third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts. The Employment Development Department provides valuable services to support an estimated 833,360 crop workers who are the heart of their communities. It’s a way of honoring the legacy of Cesar Chavez who inspired a powerful movement championing the dignity of farmwork that’s had a lasting impact to this day.
SACRAMENTO — As Californians celebrate the legacy of labor leader, community organizer, and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, the Employment Development Department (EDD) remains dedicated to helping support agricultural workers and their families by sharing vital information and resources.
“Cesar Chavez’s work inspired generations of Californians to recognize the dignity of workers and their families,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “EDD and our community partners honor Mr. Chavez’s legacy with vital outreach to farmworkers across the Golden State.”
Visit EDD’s Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program webpage to find helpful resources for the farmworker community, and testimonials from passionate, EDD outreach workers like Facundo Rosas—featured in the following video:
California Agriculture Industry
California is the leading producer of agricultural goods in the U.S. and the world’s top exporter of produce. This industry relies heavily on hundreds of thousands of workers who cultivate more than 400 different commodities across the state, as reported by the California Department of Food and Agriculture:
- Dairy products, grapes, almonds, and cattle lead the list as the top-earning agricultural commodities produced in California in 2023.
- Based on January 2025 estimates, the areas of California with the largest concentrations of farm jobs are San Joaquin Valley (180,580), South Coast (60,900), Central Coast (49,900), Desert Region (22,800), and Sacramento Valley (22,300).
- There were an estimated 833,360 crop workers in California in 2023, and approximately 235,508 of them were seasonal workers.
- In 2023, approximately 68,038 migrant laborers worked in California, representing 29% of all seasonal workers in the state.
Services for Agricultural Workers
EDD collaborates with various state and local organizations to provide a wide variety of services for the thousands of workers who support California’s agriculture industry:
- Referring workers to local services, such as low-cost medical services, housing, food banks, utility assistance, and childcare.
- Presenting guidance on how to apply for unemployment benefits when the growing season ends, and disability and Paid Family Leave benefits.
- Sharing information and providing aid to workers with employment services and employment-related complaints.
- Supplying information on state and federal farmworker employment rights.
- Linking workers to local agricultural job openings (H-2A program).
- Providing job search assistance and coaching, job screening, resume writing, and job referrals.
- Assisting farmworkers with resources through CalJOBS, California’s online resource for job postings, training programs, and labor market information.
- Giving workers information about training opportunities available through EDD and community partners.
- Offering access to job fairs and workshops hosted at America’s Job Center of California and other locations.
- Providing access to computers, printers, scanners, copiers, and multilingual assistance.
The Department’s Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers Outreach Program works with other State agencies and community-based organizations to serve farmworkers and agricultural employers to help agricultural workers. The EDD Monitor Advocate Office oversees the outreach program and corresponds with California agricultural employers and EDD representatives to ensure migrant farmworkers and all job seekers are provided equitable employment services.
For more information about programs and services benefiting the California agriculture industry and its workers, visit the EDD website.