Explore the Foundation’s incredible journey from its inspiring beginnings to its remarkable progress over just a decade, and then imagine the limitless possibilities that the future holds…
The Mission
To support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development.
History
2011
Foundation Launched with Initial Fundraising:
Engaged 411 participants in the first year
Programs centered on viticulture training aimed at enhancing vineyard skill
Partnered with AgSafe as the Foundation’s fiscal agent while initiating the 501(c)(3) application and formation process
2012
Strengthened Community Connections for Farmworker Families:
Introduced the first-ever Día de la Familia, bringing together 1,000 farmworker families with vital community resources
Organized the industry's most comprehensive Farmworker Education Workshop in Spanish, offering two full days of training on essential topics like leadership development, pest & disease identification, injury & illness prevention, and equipment safety
Engaged 1,757 farmworkers throughout the year
Achieved a 327% growth rate from the first year
2013
Expanded Educational Offerings:
Launched a 12-week English Literacy course for farmworkers, featuring a curriculum tailored specifically for workplace communication
Introduced Leadership & Management presentations as part of the seminar schedule at the Napa Valley Viticultural Fair
Attendance surged to 2,617 participants
Achieved a 250% increase in total educational hours delivered
2014 - 2015
Program Growth and Milestones:
Introduced a 2-week post-harvest English Literacy Intensive course to address growing demand
Increased attendance by 85% in the 12-week English Literacy course
Made history with the introduction of the first-ever Women's Competition at the Napa County Pruning Contest
Delivered 343 hours of education, reflecting a 173% year-over-year increase
Farmworker Foundation Board member Mike Wolf was honored with the prestigious 2015 Napa Valley Grower of the Year award
Achieved official 501(c)(3) non-profit status
2016
Addressed New Educational Needs and Fostering Future Opportunities:
Introduced "How to Navigate the American School System" to assist farmworker families and students
Launched a 2-week Math Literacy Intensive course to expand educational offerings
Established the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program, connecting high school students with career opportunities in the wine industry
Congressman Mike Thompson recognized English Literacy program graduates with Congressional Certificates of Achievement at a special farmworker appreciation luncheon
2017
Rising Demand for Advanced Training:
Napa Valley’s skilled workforce expanded Train-the-Trainer programs, certifying crew leaders to train others
Attendance in Train-the-Trainer programs doubled, with new courses in Forklift, ATV, and Tractor Safety
The Napa County Pruning Contest saw 15% growth, with over 100 men and women participants
Fundraising and donor contributions surpassed $1 million for the first time, marking a significant milestone
2018
Milestone Achievements:
Celebrated the 400th graduate from the English Literacy program
Farmworker Foundation President Steve Moulds was honored with the prestigious 2018 Napa Valley Grower of the Year award
Expanded the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program to include Up Valley School Districts in St. Helena and Calistoga
Enhanced the English Literacy course, now offering beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels
Launched a bilingual website to serve as a valuable resource for the community
2019
Prioritizing Wellness and Leadership:
Launched the OLE Health Screening Clinic during Día de la Familia to support community wellness
Introduced the Leadership & Management Program at ROOTSTOCK, making it accessible to all participants
Responded to employer safety needs by offering a CPR and First Aid class in Spanish
Expanded the Train-the-Trainer series with a new course on Pesticide Safety
Celebrated the graduation of 75 students from the English Literacy Program, marking the first group to complete all eight years of beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses
Farmworker Foundation Board member Pete Richmond received the prestigious 2019 Napa Valley Grower of the Year award
2020
Pandemic and Disaster Relief Efforts:
Distributed 265,000 COVID-19 masks
Supplied 2,500 Health and Safety Kits to grower and vineyard teams
Provided 15,000 reusable cloth masks
Installed over 70 social distancing signs throughout Napa County vineyards
Funded four months of childcare for farmworkers’ children during harvest in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley
Formed a COVID-19 Task Force, launching a cross-county PSA campaign to ensure safety and awareness
Hired a Project Coordinator to translate all safety information into Spanish and support community relations
Advised on COVID-19 safety protocols and connected farmworkers with vital resources
Facilitated online learning for farmworkers by purchasing Chromebooks, offering technology workshops in Spanish, and creating a laptop lending program
Distributed 25,000 N95 masks to protect workers during wildfire events at harvest
Contributed $100,000 to Napa Valley Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief efforts, supporting farmworkers with lost harvest wages
Secured highly competitive California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Specialty Crop Block grant for leadership and mentorship programs
Received highly competitive United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2501 Partnership Grant for financial literacy and technology programs
2021
Adapting to New Challenges:
Hired the first full-time Program Manager to oversee and expand educational offerings
Donated $60,000 to support COVID-19 vaccination clinics and played a pivotal role in Napa County’s vaccine rollout for farmworkers, advocating for access for essential grape grower workers and establishing a companywide vaccination scheduling system in collaboration with St. Helena Hospital Foundation and OLE Health
Continued COVID-19 safety efforts, distributing 220,000 surgical masks, 40,000 sanitizing wipe containers, 24,000 bandanas, 3,000 health and safety kits, 2,289 hand sanitizer bottles, and 375 Spanish-language workplace safety posters
Launched the inaugural Financial Literacy Program, covering vineyard budgets, Excel budgeting, and personal finance
Expanded Technology Workshops, providing farmworkers with laptops and instruction for online learning
Collaborated with Napa County Fire to host a Fire Prevention and Protection program, preparing vineyard crews for wildfire risks
Hosted Wildfire Regulations and Safety Training, offering comprehensive education on wildfire smoke exposure's health effects and up-to-date worker protection practices
Introduced a Harvest Night Safety program, addressing Cal/OSHA rule changes and offering a light meter instruction video for agricultural workers
Raised $2 million from donors, investing in new educational programs that had a transformative impact on the community
2022
Relaunch of Programs and Competitive Grant Awards:
Rebranded the Leadership and Management conference as Cultivar, expanding it to a 3-day event focused on viticultural practices and leadership skills, resulting in a 58% increase in attendance
Grew the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program by 30%
Increased educational hours offered by 83% compared to the previous year
Expanded participation in the Financial Literacy Program, with a 26% increase in attendees from the prior year
Celebrated the 10th anniversary of Día de la Familia, continuing to strengthen community ties
Returned to pre-COVID attendance levels, educating nearly 3,000 farmworkers and family members—marking a 258% increase from the prior year
Celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Napa County Pruning Contest, where contestants showcased their skills in this prestigious competition for Napa Valley vineyard professionals
Presented the first-ever Scholar of the Year award, honoring farmworkers who completed the most educational hours through the Foundation’s programs
Launched a new Job Satisfaction Survey in collaboration with UC Cooperative Extension, collecting input from 311 farmworkers on 10 key areas of job satisfaction
Introduced the Vineyard Champions Series, recognizing individuals for their dedication to education and professional growth in the vineyard
Partnered with Wells Fargo Foundation to launch a year-end giving program, distributing 250 Copperfield's Books gift cards to farmworkers and their families
Secured nearly $800,000 in grants from the CDFA and USDA for the second time, supporting farmworker education
Arnulfo Solorio, Farmworker Foundation Vice President and Founder, received the prestigious 2022 Napa Valley Grower of the Year award
2023
Inaugural Barrier-Breaking Programs:
Increased the number of educational programs by 44% and expanded total hours of education by 58% compared to the previous year
Launched an off-site English Literacy course at River Ranch Farmworker Housing Center, bringing education directly to students
Hosted the inaugural Women's Leadership Workshop, supporting new and aspiring female supervisors in the industry
Introduced a new 3-day Welding Bootcamp, emphasizing safety and providing focused instruction on welding techniques, terminology, and hands-on practice
Rolled out a new 4-day Supervisor Development Program, focusing on safety, communication, leadership, and compliance
Piloted an 8-week Workplace Math course at the worksite to overcome transportation barriers, covering essential topics such as multiplication, division, percentages, and metric conversions
Launched the Fields of Opportunity Alumni Network Program, creating a mentor network to support graduates as they entered the workforce or pursued higher education
Secured the CDFA California Underserved Small Producers Grant, providing technical assistance to 43 small, socially disadvantaged farmers, resulting in $415,000 in economic relief funding for losses from COVID-19 and the 2020 wildfires
Partnered with Providence Community Health Foundation Napa Valley to distribute 100 complimentary iPads to seniors in the farmworker community, enhancing digital access
Astounding Growth: 2011-2023
The Future of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation: A Vision of Growth and Impact
The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation has long been a cornerstone in supporting the workforce that drives Napa Valley's world-renowned wine industry. The Foundation has established itself as a key resource by fostering trust with farmworkers, collaborating with the grower community, and offering impactful programs. Staying true to its pioneering roots, the Foundation remains committed to listening, learning, and identifying new opportunities to break down barriers while continuing to set a benchmark for excellence.
As Napa Valley navigates environmental challenges, economic shifts, and cultural transformation, the Foundation is uniquely positioned to shape a sustainable and prosperous future. Here's a glimpse of what lies ahead:
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To stay ahead of industry trends, the Foundation will likely invest in:
Advanced Agricultural Techniques: Workshops on sustainable farming practices, regenerative agriculture, and climate-resilient viticulture.
Technology Integration: Training in precision agriculture, technology usage for vineyard monitoring, and data analytics to improve crop yields.
Leadership Development: Empowering farmworkers to take on supervisory roles and advocate for needs.
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The well-being of farmworkers will remain a priority:
Comprehensive Health Programs: Initiatives for physical and mental health, including access to healthcare services, stress management workshops, and supportive community groups.
Housing and Transportation Solutions: Partnerships with local governments and organizations to improve access to affordable housing and additional barrier-breaking on-site programming.
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Additional environmental and sustainably-focused programming will be paramount to continue to protect Napa County:
Collaborate on Sustainability Initiatives: Encourage farmworker participation in conservation programs and reforestation efforts.
Green Certification Programs: Educate workers about eco-friendly certifications to enhance employability and vineyard sustainability.
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Strengthening the fabric of Napa County's farmworker community:
More Cultural Celebrations: Hosting events that celebrate the diverse cultures of the workforce and foster community pride.
Robust Youth Programs: Engaging the next generation through scholarships, mentorship, and exposure to career opportunities in agriculture.
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Advocating for the vital role of farmworkers:
Policy Advocacy: Collaborating with policymakers to improve labor laws and resources for agricultural workers.
Storytelling Campaigns: Highlighting the personal stories and contributions of farmworkers to Napa County's success.
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The future of Foundation will hinge on partnerships:
Corporate Collaborations: Working with management companies, financial institutions, technology companies, wineries, distributors, and more to fund programs and amplify farmworker impact.
Nonprofit Synergies: Aligning with other organizations to tackle shared challenges.
A Vision Rooted in Gratitude and Growth
The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation's future is one of growth, innovation, and deepened community impact. By continuing to support and empower its workforce, the Foundation ensures that the heart and soul of Napa Valley—its people—thrive for generations to come. Please consider contributing to this meaningful work.