Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program

Through our Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Outreach Program, the EDD partners with other state agencies and community-based organizations to directly serve farmworkers and agricultural employers.

We have multilingual outreach workers that travel to areas where farmworkers work, live, and gather to make sure that they receive information about job opportunities, farmworker labor rights, and supportive services available through the America’s Job Center of California^SM (AJCC) offices and our partners.

Find an AJCC Office Near You

Call the Toll-Free AJCC Number

Success Stories

EDD Farmworker Outreach Efforts Help Farmworker Avoid Eviction
EDD Outreach Worker Helps Community Organize to Assist Displaced Farmworkers
EDD Farmworker Outreach Representative is Passionate About Helping Local Laborers
EDD Farmworker Outreach Representative Helps Local Workers Impacted by Disastrous Winter Storms

Services for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

• Multilingual assistance.
• General information about unemployment, disability, and paid family leave.
• Referrals to supportive services such as low-cost medical services, housing, utility assistance, food banks, and legal services.
• Assistance with job searching, résumé writing, and job referrals.
• Information about farmworker labor rights and filing complaints.
• Assistance with placement into agricultural and non-agricultural jobs.

For a complete list of services for MSFWs and agricultural employers, see our Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program Brochure (DE 6073) (PDF).

Monitor Advocate Office

The Monitor Advocate System is a federal and state system established by the Department of Labor to help ensure that MSFWs have equal access to career and training services, and workforce protections offered by American Job Centers, so they may improve their living and working conditions.

Do you have a work-related complaint? Are you having issues with:

• Access to shade, clean water, or restrooms.
• Lunch and breaks.
• Getting paid wages owed to you.
• Retaliation.
• Health and safety issues.

We can help you attempt to locally resolve your complaint with your employer. Contact us for more information:

Phone: 1-866-289-8356

Email: monitoradvocate@edd.ca.gov

For questions and additional information, contact your nearest America’s Job Center of California or call toll-free at 1-877-872-5627 (TTY 1-877-889-5627).

Other Resources for Farmworkers

• Consulate General of Mexico
  The Consulate helps Mexican citizens who are living or traveling in the United States (website only available in Spanish).
• La Cooperativa Campesina de California
  La Voz del Campo/Voice of the Field informational newsletter produced for California’s agricultural communities.
• Department of Social Services Resource Guide
  • Obtain information on housing programs, immigration assistance, food and cash aid, and child welfare programs.
  • Cal Fresh: California’s food stamps (SNAP) Program. Provides children and economically disadvantaged families with better access to food and a healthier diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition efforts.
• Department of Industrial Relations: Overtime for Agricultural Workers – FAQ
• US Department of Labor Programs for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers
  The Employment and Training Administration provides a variety of services to farmworkers and agricultural employers.

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program

In addition, EDD assists with the federal Foreign Labor Certification H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program, which allows agricultural employers to bring foreign workers temporarily, when not enough qualified US workers are available.