In the heartland of America, where fields, pastures, and open ranges stretch as far as the eye can see, there struggle the often overlooked and undervalued farm and ranch workers. These dedicated men and women toil under the scorching sun, enduring grueling hours, and hazardous conditions, all to ensure that our tables brim with fresh groceries. Their contributions often go unnoticed, while their lives are etched by poverty and vulnerability.
Introduction to PPEP – NFJP
Fortunately, a ray of hope shines for these near invisible heroes: the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). This federally funded program is managed locally at the state level by a network of grant-funded, non-profit organizations across the country. Its mission is to empower Ag workers and their families by equipping them with essential resources and assistance to enhance their economic self-sufficiency.
In Arizona, NFJP is operated by PPEP, Inc., based in Tucson. PPEP has been the grantee of record since 1981. Standing for Portable, Practical, Educational Preparation; PPEP’s roots extend back to 1967, when founder Dr. John David Arnold first began to reach out to the Bracero farmworkers around Tucson. He bought an old 1957 school bus, painted it green, named it La Tortuga (The Turtle), and converted it into a portable classroom, from whence he offered practical educational opportunities to farmworker students
Expanding Reach and Impact
As part of our recent expansion, PPEP opened a new office at 700 W. Beale Street in Kingman, extending our services to 10 counties. This office shows our commitment to statewide outreach and dedication to offering crucial resources and services to farm and ranch workers in northwestern Arizona. Previously limited to southern counties, our program benefits are now within reach for individuals in our area.
Historical Context and the NFJP Solution
To grasp the true impact of NFJP, it is essential to explore the historical backdrop that led to its establishment. Prior to the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, farmworkers endured meager wages, hazardous conditions, and limited educational opportunities, trapped in a cycle of poverty. Their migratory lifestyle placed immense strain on their families, particularly minority women and children who faced discrimination, harassment, and abuse.
Conditions have greatly improved since then, thanks in part to Yuma-born César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, the founders of the United Farm Workers Association, but agricultural workers still encounter significant challenges. They often lack access to essential training and education, operate in precarious environments dictated by seasonal demands, and often face exploitation and vulnerability. Despite their crucial role in our food supply chain, they are frequently deprived of fair wages and protections commonly enjoyed by workers in other sectors. Notably, child labor regulations within agriculture remain lax, rendering it the most hazardous industry for young laborers in the United States.
While there are numerous commendable farm employers in Mohave County who offer competitive wage packages and prioritize their employees’ well-being, many farm and ranch hands generally still endure excessive difficulties. NFJP was created to address these pressing issues by offering a comprehensive range of services to include training, education, employment, and training related support.
Exploring the Top Four
1. Training and Education: NFJP provides farmworkers with vocational training, formal classroom education, English-as-a-Second-Language instruction, work experience opportunities, on-the-job training, GED acquisition, and more.
2. Supportive Services: Farmworkers enrolled in NFJP receive counseling, case management, and training-related support services to ensure their overall well-being and success.
3. Employment Services: The program offers direct job placement, job development services, and assistance in securing stable employment both within and outside the agricultural sector.
4. Outreach, Advocacy, and Referral: Through significant outreach, advocacy, and referral, PPEP NFJP staff engage and develop necessary partnerships and resources to provide comprehensive services in support of farmworkers and their families for long-term self-sustainability. It is through these partnerships and advocacy efforts. These efforts also help support the needs and employment goals of farm owners.
Partnerships and Collaborations
NFJP operates under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), partnering with governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and local nonprofits to support farmworkers. This cooperative approach ensures comprehensive assistance without redundancy or conflicting efforts. By working together seamlessly, these entities provide a more effective support system for those in the Ag industry.
NFJP, along with key partner Arizona@Work, follows a “no wrong door” policy to enhance our operational efficiency. This policy allows farm and ranch workers seeking aid at any location, such as county workforce development offices, to easily access NFJP services if eligible. Through the Atlas cloud-based referral platform, community partners can efficiently refer applicants to one another, granting cross-agency access to training, employment opportunities, and vital supportive services. This streamlined referral process not only simplifies resource access, but also facilitates co-enrollment among community partners, creating a greater comprehensive network of resources for clients to optimize their chances for success.
Qualifying for NFJP Services
To qualify, a NFJP applicant must meet the following approximate criteria:
1. Farmworker Status: The youth (18-24) or adult (over 24) applicants must have worked in a qualified agricultural job for at least 50% of their time, or from which they derived 50% of their income, during a 12-month consecutive period within the past 24 months.
2. Low-Income Status: Applicants must have incomes falling inside the Federal Poverty Guidelines within the past 12 months or have received qualifying services within the last 6 months (food stamps, TANF, WIC, Housing or Utility assistance, etc.)
3. Other Key Requirements: Male applicants must have registered, or be willing to register, for selective service as required by the Military Selective Service Act.
Two Success Stories
Let’s celebrate the success of two individuals transformed by NFJP:
1. A Transformative Journey: From Fields to Freeways
Aldo Molinar’s journey exemplifies the success of our National Farmworkers Jobs Program. At just 19, and with the help of NFJP, he embarked on a path that led him to obtaining his Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) Class A and is now working as a truck driver with plenty of steady, year-around work.
Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Aldo recalls starting in agriculture at the tender age of 12-years-old. His early experiences, learning to drive tractors under the guidance of his boss, laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. Initially earning $10/hr., Aldo later worked on a ranch, where he earned $12/hr.
Aldo’s introduction to NFJP came through his sister’s attempt to qualify for the program. Learning about its benefits, Aldo seized the opportunity by contacting the NFJP office in Cochise County, where he qualified as a “participant.” For Aldo, NFJP offered a chance to obtain his CDL without the burden of loans, a prospect he embraced wholeheartedly.
Navigating dual responsibilities at once, Aldo pursued his associate degree from Eastern Arizona College while attending his NFJP funded CDL training in Tucson on weekends. Despite running “ragged” in this way for a while, Aldo’s spirits remained high, buoyed by his progress and newfound opportunities.
Today, Aldo acknowledges the program’s transformative effect on his life. With newfound confidence and stability, he envisions a future filled with possibilities. He is certainly “grabbing the bull by the horns:” Aldo has since gone on to launch and operate his own trucking company!
2. From Broccoli Fields to Medical Clinic: Joel’s Journey of Triumph
Joel Solorio was born a US citizen in San Diego, filled with promise and potential. However, circumstances swiftly whisked him away to Mexico, where he toiled with his humble family in fields of produce slated for tables in the U.S.
Years later, with aspirations soaring, a determined Joel returned to the United States. His resolve was immediately tested by the harsh reality that his poor English skills required him to fall back as a high school freshman, despite having arrived to his senior year in Mexico. And soon thereafter, when confronted by a family crisis, he reluctantly had to bid ¡Adíos! to his educational dreams and join his father as a broccoli cutter in Yuma.
A silver lining flashed in this darkest hour of his life when Joel stumbled upon an ad promising opportunities through the NFJP Youth area office. Undeterred by the daunting hurdles ahead, Joel plunged headfirst into a journey of self-discovery, fueled by a fervent desire for a better life.
Joel’s unwavering determination eventually paid off when he secured a coveted spot in NFJP Youth. There, he absorbed invaluable lessons in discipline, responsibility, and leadership. Under the guidance of his mentors, he successfully navigated his General Educational Development preparatory courses and, after several months, proudly earned his GED Diploma.
Joel’s journey continued to soar as he excelled in his NFJP-funded, entry-level healthcare training, graduating at the top of his class. Today, he stands tall as a certified medical assistant in a Yuma medical clinic, and now, with a bachelor’s degree in hand, which he earned on his own, he has his sights set on becoming a medical doctor someday. While NFJP is not able to assist him in obtaining that lofty aspiration, it helped his dreams to take flight, empowering him to realistically “aim for the stars.”
Tying it All Together
The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) is a beacon of hope, providing a “hand-up,” rather than a handout, to farmworkers and ranch hands across the country. NFJP’s mission is to assist farmers and ranchers by delivering training, education, employment, and supportive services to eligible migrant and seasonal workers and their families in the agricultural sector. By addressing ongoing challenges faced by this dedicated group, NFJP is paving the path towards a brighter future for them and improving our communities.
If you are an employer in Mohave or La Paz County, a farmworker, or a ranch hand seeking assistance, or know someone who is, we encourage you to contact NFJP today. You can visit us at the Mohave County Arizona@Work office located at 700 W. Beale Street in Kingman, call us at 928-716-1927 during regular business hours, or simply E-mail the author at jortiz@ppep.org. Please remember that NFJP is dedicated to supporting farm workers, ranch hands, and their dependents as they work towards achieving greater economic self-sufficiency.
James G. Ortiz
