USDA Farmworker Relief Program

In 2023–2024, Cultiva Central Valley, in partnership with United Way of Merced County, delivered the USDA Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) program to farmworkers across Merced County. Together, we provided more than $1 million in direct relief and hands‑on application support so eligible farmworkers could access the one‑time $600 FFWR payment intended to offset pandemic‑related costs.

Three people sitting at a rectangular table with a purple tablecloth, engaged in conversation. The person in the middle is a young man with glasses, a beard, and a black cap worn backwards, smiling. The person on the left, wearing a pink shirt with yellow text, and the person on the right, wearing a gray shirt and a yellow cap, are facing away from the camera. In the background, a stage with a colorful, tropical-themed backdrop, streamers, and paper lanterns, along with a yellow fan and various items on the stage, are visible.
A woman with blond hair sitting at a black table, writing on a tablet with a stylus. In the foreground, a green bottle with a dolphin print and a black pen with pink sticky notes attached are visible. On the table, there are colorful sticky notes, a yellow sign with the word 'POO!', and a blue pamphlet. The background shows a plain white wall and a rolling luggage suitcase.

Our team—rooted in trust and led by bilingual staff and Promotoras—met residents where they are: in community spaces, at pop‑up events, and through one‑on‑one navigation. We helped with eligibility verification, application intake, document uploads, and follow‑ups, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish. In total, we assisted more than 1,800 farmworkers throughout Merced County in securing the relief they earned through their essential work.

This effort followed the height of the pandemic, its purpose was clear: to honor and support the people who risked their lives to keep our families fed. We are profoundly grateful for the resilience of our farmworker community and for our partnership with United Way of Merced County and USDA, which made this countywide effort possible.

A large group of people seated at tables in a room decorated with colorful banners and artwork. Some individuals are engaged in conversation, while others are sitting quietly. The room has bright lighting, and the walls display various posters with words and images. There are also people standing and talking near the tables.