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The Employment Development Department (EDD) is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Farmworker Advancement Program (FAP) with a total funding availability of $9 million. Maximum awards are up to $1,000,000 with a 20 percent match requirement; applications are due November 29, 2023. 

What is the purpose of the Farmworkers Advancement Program (FAP)? FAP will fund research, design, and implementation projects that focus exclusively on farmworker needs at a regional level by offering essential skills and upskilling training to either advance in the agricultural industry and/or prepare for advancement outside of the agricultural sector.

FAP programs should position farmworkers to obtain access to good-quality jobs including jobs that pay family sustaining wages, offer benefits, have predictable hours, opportunities for career advancement, and worker voice. Projects will also provide wrap-around support and resources to build skills to prevent job loss and lay the foundation for upward mobility. The FAP grant funded programs will assist with referrals to health, housing, educational resources, and career and financial coaching.

Who are eligible applicants for this program? Non-profit organizations, local labor partners, tribal governments, community colleges, local workforce boards, and education and training providers. Applicants, including collaborations among partners, must have demonstrated expertise in assisting farmworkers and in workforce development programs.

What are the eligible project types for FAP? This program offers two funding tracks with varying funding levels and objectives.

Track #1: Program Implementation and Scaling

This track is intended for programs that can demonstrate a track record of workforce outcomes and will provide funding to the following, among others:

• Provide basic skills, including English literacy, math, and digital literacy training, or propose alternative programs to offer essential skills training in English, math, and digital literacy.
• Implement program strategies for: (i) developing or distributing online learning tools, (ii) training community educators as basic skills instructors, or increasing basic skills learning opportunities in adult schools, and/or (iii) colleges and community-based organizations (CBOs).
• Offer upskilling and career pathways to include: (i) job skills training, (ii) paid apprenticeships, (iii) work-based learning, (iv) agricultural technology training, and (v) training for roles in adjacent sectors, such as forestry management.
• Develop curriculum and expand access to higher-paying positions within agriculture, including (i) irrigation, (ii) food safety, and (iii) front-line supervision.
• Programs that are offered at or take place at worksites, farmworker housing, or other locations accessible to farmworkers.
• Provide stipends and/or incentives for farmworkers participating in and completing essential skills training pending ratification of state policy.

(See the full list of eligible activities in this program’s Solicitation for Proposals linked below.)

Applicants can apply for up to $1,000,000 for Track #1; a 20 percent match of total grant funding requested is required.

Track #2: Emerging Programs

• This track is intended to support program design, development, and early implementation.
• This track directly supports existing or new programs to fully develop their farmworker training and workforce development program, establish partnerships, design curriculum, and seek registration from the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (if applicable) for Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
• This track can serve participants in the full implementation phase to test concepts, which will drive employment and earnings outcomes in program design and delivery.

Applicants can apply for $350,000 to $500,000; matching funds are not required for this track. 

Only one application per organization will be accepted.

What is the project and award timeline? Applications are due by November 29, 2023 at 3pm Pacific Time.

The period of performance for both project tracks will be 18 to 24 months, with an anticipated start date of February 1, 2024, and end date of December 31, 2026.

The full Solicitation for Proposals can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.