Farmworkers Institute of Education and Leadership Development (FIELD)

About FIELD

As we strive to develop a replacement workforce to continue supporting California’s economy, the Farmworkers Institute of Education & Leadership Development (FIELD) is committed to uplifting the economic prospects of our underserved populations in poor, minority communities. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit founded and established in 1978 by Farmworker Leader Cesar E Chavez. Cesar’s ultimate vision was to inspire farmworkers & the rural workforce to gain self-sufficiency through employee owned social enterprises. FIELD carries out this mission through a continuum of educational and workforce development programs that assist underserved communities in achieving empowerment, self-sufficiency, and a better quality of life. Whether it is developing skills to fight devastating wildfires, combating the negative effects of climate change, or fostering the use of clean energy, FIELD is making a difference in the quality of life for all Californians. FIELD helps individuals and families overcome educational and societal barriers by equipping them to participate productively in the California economy.

Our Core Purpose - To empower the underserved to be self-sufficient

Our Core Values - Integrity, Innovation, Opportunity, and “Si Se Puede” ~ “Yes We Can”

Our Focus - A Continuum of Education and Training: Leads to employee owned social enterprises

STRIVING TOWARDS FIELDS’S VISION

FIELD has served almost 130,000 people since 2002 by making a major investment in an education and training infrastructure as progress towards Cesar’s VISION of social and economic prosperity. FIELD specifically serves in geographical regions that are among the most economically, socially, culturally, and disproportionately impacted communities. These communities are located in 8 counties throughout the northern and southern regions of California, ranging from Butte, Nevada, Monterey, Merced, Tulare, Kern, Los Angeles, to Riverside county.

These efforts have made improved social and economic prosperity in the households of hundreds of thousands of farmworkers, immigrants, Latinx, poor non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans in rural communities a reality.

FIELD'S MISSION

To foster economic & social prosperity through a continuum of educational and workforce development programs.

EPIC de Cesar Chavez Charter High School - serving 18+ year old adults on campuses across California
English as a Second Language (ESL) - offering free classes to English learners since 2000
Career Technical Pathways (CTE) - 7 career technical pathways that train students in Social Business Enterprises
Cesar Chavez Environmental Corps (est. 2017) - 2 divisions including Natural Resources and Recycling

Our goal at FIELD is to serve 250,000 people by 2025 through our many programs including English Literacy (ESL), Education, Career Technical Education & Training, and our Conservation Corps.

Learn more about FIELD, our Educational, ESL, and Training Programs and how FIELD can change your future.