This program provides employment, training, and educational activities and services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers. NFJP grants go to nonprofit and public agencies throughout the nation which serve over 25,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers each year. These agencies compete for the grants and must demonstrate success in serving this hardworking, rural-based population.

Facts:

• The NJFP is a highly effective federal program. A DOL report issued June 2004 showed that 83% of eligible farmworkers who sought a job through training or placement got one through the NFJP -- a percentage that exceeded every other DOL job-training program.
   

• Farmworkers, unions, Latino organizations, public officials, and faith-based groups convinced members of Congress that a national program best meets seasonal and migrant farmworkers’ needs. It is unfair to expect Governors to serve people that may work briefly in their states. 
   

• Most farmworkers earn less than $12,500 per year and few enjoy the employment-related benefits that most American workers take for granted.
   

• The vast majority of migrant farmworkers are Hispanic.  The NFJP is the largest federal job-training program that targets a primarily Latino workforce.  Program operators serve farmworkers who are American citizens or possess valid work authorization.
   

• DOL rarely serves farm laborers in its other programs and hence, there is no “duplication of services.”, as charged by the DOL.  NFJP operators are mandated partners in the One Stop Career Center System. Eliminating this partner will eliminate the unique services it provides.
   

• The Department of Labor (DOL) has again requested zero funding in 2006 for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), authorized by Section 167 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). In 2005, despite the Administration’s attempt to end the program, Congress appropriated $76.7 million for the NFJP.  The $76.7 million was eliminated in the President’s 2006 request;  the grants will not be transferred to the states. In effect, Governors will get an unfunded mandate.

The NFJP helps secure our food supply by serving the workers who prepare and harvest 85% of the fruits and vegetables we consume.   This is their access to the American Dream. Funding should be maintained and expanded.

For more information, contact:

       David A. Strauss, Executive Director
       Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs
       1726 M Street NW  Suite 800
       Washington, DC 20036

 Telephone: 202-828-6006, ext. 101                            Email:  strauss@afop.org