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The Farmworker Institute for Education and Leadership Development (FIELD) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening America’s agricultural sector. We recognize that agricultural workers and other Latinos are in need of better training and educational opportunities in order to succeed in the rapidly changing American economy. FIELD helps meet this challenge.

Agriculture is one of California’s and the nation’s largest industries. In California alone, agriculture accounts for an estimated $70 billion in related economic activity and nearly one in ten jobs statewide. This industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by consolidation in related industries, evolving international trade rules, changing consumer tastes, specialized technology and new labor requirements. Agricultural companies need to provide value added services to their buyers and the workforce need new skills to meet their needs.

The average California farmworker has a sixth grade education and speaks very little English. This prevents them from moving up career ladders and increasing family earnings. Even more distressing is that despite their aspirations and hopes for their children, farmworkers often pass these limitations on to the next generation. As studies indicate, the children of parents with less education and literacy generally complete fewer years of schooling than their peers whose parents have more education.

Our goal at FIELD is to foster and provide opportunities for limited English-speaking Latinos. We are working to develop a well-trained workforce, through basic education and literacy training as well as cross training in crop-specific vocational skills and other advanced courses in production techniques and technology. With this combination, workers are prepared to meet the demands of today’s agricultural and other work environments. We also take great pride in knowing that our graduates take with them a better sense of self esteem and confidence in their new abilities.

FIELD’s work contributes to a more stable workforce for the industry as well as faster advancement and higher income for Latino workers and their family’s needs.