Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

Education for Workers and Their Families

By Kathleen Reynolds

“Driven to become the best farmer he could be, Roberto Juarez began taking viticulture classes offered by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. He soon realized that achieving this goal required learning English, so he enrolled in the Foundation’s English Literacy Program, which he completed in 2017. Now fluent, Roberto embraced ongoing education, taking every course available through the Foundation in areas like leadership, management, and sustainability. He is now a vineyard manager.”

This is from the 2024 Annual Report of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. The mission and goal of the foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development.

“One thing I want readers to understand is that Napa Valley’s farmworker workforce is largely permanent,” says Program Director Jill Durfee. “These are individuals and families building their lives here—an essential part of our community

and local economy. The students who attend our classes reflect that deep commitment. Most are adults working full-time, caring for families, and choosing to spend their free time learning something completely new. They are humble, diligent, and driven to create a better future for themselves, their families, and for Napa Valley.”

Founded by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011, the foundation engaged 411 participants in that first year.

By the end of 2024 they had provided 4,259 hours of education, reached 31,733 farmworkers and their families. This year, as of press time, the foundation has had 785 participants.

Jill explains the evolution of the classes since the beginning, “Our programs are farmworker-driven through continuous feedback and data collection. Surveys are an important part of how we measure impact, but they also help us understand what additional topics farmworkers want to learn about. Each year, our Education Committee—made up of 13 industry leaders—reviews this feedback to design the annual program offerings.”

“In 2011, we began with a few core programs, such as English and specific viticulture best practices, but nearly all of our growth has come directly from participant input. For example, we have offered First Aid and CPR training for many years. Last year, a student suggested that if she were certified as a trainer, she could better ensure everyone on her team received these lifesaving skills. In response, we launched Train the Trainer: CPR & First Aid, purchased equipment to create a lending library with practice manikins (the dummies that simulate a human’s reactions to CPR), and provide ongoing support for those who take on this initiative to lead.”

Since education is one of the most meaningful investments they make, opening doors to opportunity, strengthening communities, and building lasting prosperity, the foundation holds CULTIVAR annually to reflect this vision—a one-of-a-kind conference where Napa Valley farmworkers deepen viticultural knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and gain tools for long-term career growth. This year’s offerings include in-depth seminars in Spanish exploring the “why” behind essential vineyard practices, practical leadership training focused on goal setting and achieving results and valuable connections with peers and industry leaders.

Every lesson, whether in English, math, computers or finance, becomes a ladder towards pay increases, leadership roles and long-term career growth.

Throughout the year, classes can include learning about climate-smart farming and management practices to make Napa Valley vineyards more adaptable and resilient. There’s a class in Night Harvest Safety Training which covers OSHA safety standards for nighttime vineyard operations. A three-day Welding Boot Camp provides hands-on training in essential welding techniques and a certification from Napa Valley College. UpValley Family Centers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation worked together to bring IRS-certified tax advice through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program to the farmworkers.

“One program that holds special meaning for me is the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Program,” says Jill. “Many farmworkers have had limited access to formal education, making opportunities for personal and professional growth especially valuable. Through these workshops, women strengthen their leadership skills while learning from and supporting one another. In a field where we are seeing a growing

number of women, the program provides a space to develop skills, build confidence, and foster community.”

One person who found success through the class is María Ríos, a vineyard crew leader, and recipient of a foundation Vineyard Champion award.

“Women now have more opportunities,” says María. “These days, a woman can be a foreman—something that wasn’t considered possible (before), as those roles were seen only for men. Now our abilities are being recognized more.”

“I first attended a class at the Women’s Leadership Workshop,” she says. “Those classes were significant for me because they helped me gain confidence in myself. I realized I really could achieve a lot thanks to those workshops. I’ve also taken computer skills, math, and financial literacy classes. These are basic classes but essential for everyday life and work.”

In addition to the farmworkers themselves, farmworker families are invited to participate in the

programs and can benefit from single or multi-day programs like Health and Well-being events, in partnership with the St. Helena Hospital Foundation and Adventist Health, dental and vision screenings and Healthy Strategies for Managing Stress. At Día de la Familia last year, over 2,500 attendees connected with 50+ local organizations at this annual community building event.

Advancing the next generation of vineyard leaders is essential to maintaining Napa Valley’s legacy and long-term success. To that end, the foundation has an eight-week summer internship program for high school students aged 16 years and older. The Fields of Opportunity mentorship program fosters meaningful relationships and creates opportunities for high school students to gain guidance, develop skills, and receive support from industry mentors.

Mentorship is an important part of the learning process. The foundation website, farmworkerfoundation.org, says in part: “Mentorship nurtures ambition and supports journeys toward personal and professional growth. By pairing emerging talent with experienced mentors, the Foundation ensures that participants receive the encouragement, resources, and networks needed to advance their careers. These relationships help program attendees set and achieve goals, develop leadership skills, and envision future possibilities.”

Classes in the importance of investing in education are offered to parents and students. In these classes, families learn how to navigate the complexities of applying for and funding higher education for their children.

The foundation works together with organizations such as OLE Health, Strategic Retirement Partners, UpValley Family Centers and the Wester Center for Agricultural Health and Safety to support the farmworker community in meaningful ways. Through their collaboration, they aim to make a lasting, positive impact on farmworker families.

The foundation celebrates farmworkers’ achievements. One way is through the Scholars of the Year award. This prestigious award honors farmworkers who complete the most educational hours and demonstrate exceptional dedication to learning, growth, and leadership in both work and life. Throughout the year, the foundation celebrates Napa Valley farmworkers who embrace education and recognizes them through the Vineyard Champions program.

The awards create a supportive learning environment among vineyard workers and highlight the expertise and critical contributions of vineyard workers to the Napa Valley wine industry. Along with encouraging professional growth, the awards safeguard the farmworkers’ legacies and stories to the next generation.

The work of Napa Valley Farmworkers is fundamental to the industry’s success. Farmworkers bring a high level of skill and dedication to a community that leads in world-class viticultural practices and produces globally recognized wines.

....................................................................................................................................

How Can You Participate? “What we need most from the public is something we are already so fortunate to have here in Napa Valley, respect for farmworkers and the work they contribute to our local industry, and incredible generosity. This community truly values the people working the vineyards.The more resources we have, the more farmworkers we can serve. We’re deeply

grateful to anyone who chooses to contribute to our efforts on our website.”

“One of the most enjoyable ways people can show support is simply by enjoying more Napa Valley wine. Every bottle helps sustain our local winegrape industry—one that is truly unique

in the way it invests in the farmworker community.”

For more information farmworkerfoundation.org (707) 261-3340