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.
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.
