By leveraging the trusted voices of Radio Bilingüe and the grassroots networks of La Cooperativa, EDD helps to connect farmworkers to valuable services, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.
A Trusted Voice for California’s Farmworkers
Published: January 22, 2026
For many farmworker families, the radio is part of everyday life. “First thing they do when they get in the car or even at home, is turn the radio on.” That’s what La Cooperativa Campesina de California CEO Marco Lizarraga remembers from growing up as a farmworker, traveling across California to work in the fields.
When the Employment Development Department (EDD) looked for ways to reach agricultural workers, we partnered with La Cooperativa Campesina and Radio Bilingüe, a full power radio station created for, and by, the migrant farmworker community.
“When La Cooperativa reached out to us about the possibility of broadcasting, you know, about job opportunities, because they had already been publishing a print version of that, I jumped at the chance,” said Radio Bilingüe’s CEO Hugo Morales.
Together, they created La Voz del Campo or Voice of the Fields. The program shared helpful information about job training and career opportunities in their area. The goal is to help farmworkers build skills and access better-paying jobs.
Lizarraga shared how we help pick the topics for each show. “We touch on the availability of training careers that are offered in different areas. Training in the area of trucking, warehousing, welding and construction.”
Radio Bilingüe continues to grow its reach across California. According to Morales, the station’s full power signal now reaches nearly half a million listeners statewide.
“This is a very powerful way of using Radio Bilingüe to reach our intended audience, which is farmworkers, built by farmworkers, I used to be a farmworker, so it’s just gratifying that we’re fulfilling our mission in part through the support of EDD.”
For farmworkers, like Filemon Lopez, La Voz del Campo is a trusted source of information about work and labor rights.
“It’s important for people to understand their rights, so wherever they go they know where to go look for information, where’s the support and help.”
So far, this partnership has produced over 200 La Voz del Campo radio programs, each designed specifically for the real needs of farmworkers.
Learn more about EDD’s Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program.