Farmer to Farmer Blog

Arnulfo Solorio, FWF Board Vice President & Founder at Napa Rise.

4/21/2023

Arnulfo Solorio, Farmworker Foundation Board Vice President speaking at Napa Rise

In Saint Helena, CA, on April 19th, 2023, Arnulfo Solorio represented the Farmworker Foundation at Napa Rise. The focus of the day was social justice, diversity, and inclusion day. Changemakers gathered to learn how to make their spaces more inclusive. Solorio- shared his dream of providing education opportunities for farmworkers that today has grown into the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation; providing numerous trainings and educational opportunities for farmworkers and their families. The programs have expanded to create opportunities not only for current farmworkers but for students who are considering the wine industry. Solorio called people in the room to action, encouraging them to send their employees to the training and to become mentors for the Fields of Opportunity Summer Program.

With hopes to continue building the workforce in Napa and making the vineyards a desired place to work, Solorio suggests that the best course of action companies can take is to ask their employees what is important to them. With this information, companies can focus on creating a strong culture that is valued by employees, reducing turnover and improving productivity. .

Education access is a form of social justice; when people are allowed to learn and grow, they can advance in their career and personal life to positions of influence. Theycan occupy seats at the table where they otherwise might not have been invited. With the diversity of voices, we can continue to develop and improve the wine industry to make it a productive and prosperous place to work and visit.

Congratulations to the 2023 English Program Graduates

4/18/2023

30 farmworkers completed the winter program

Every winter the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, in partnership with the Napa Adult School, offers English classes for vineyard workers. Farmworkers can get a jump start in December with a two week intensive, followed by a10-week program.

"I just want to thank everyone who made it possible for us to have these classes. My English is not very good, but I am still learning. Being here for 10 weeks has helped me a lot, I know how to speak a bit, but I didn't know how to read and write. Now I can read and write it better. I recommend everyone to come to the classes and it's a good opportunity and there is always something good to learn." - José Ramirez, Walsh Vineyard Management

"For me it was very important to join the English class because it is an incentive to continue studying and it's the beginning of a new chapter. I hope to continue studying and I want to thank my mentors, Allison and Beto, who were there with me during my classes, because I have learned a lot. Thank you." - Guadalupe Morales, Cliff Lede Vineyards

Thank you to the following employers for putting opportunity within reach and prioritizing education for your workforce!

Bazan Vineyard Management
Beckstoffer Vineyards
in to Bottle Winery
Chappellet Vineyard
Cliff Lede Vineyards
Eisele Vineyard
Far Niente Winery
Nickel and Nickel Winery
Robert Biale
Royale AgLabor
Sequoia Grove Winery
Servin- Lopez Vineyard Management
Silver Oak Cellars
Vinedresser Vineyard Management, Inc.
Walsh Vineyards Management
Wight Vineyard Management

Register now open for December 2023. Beginner and Intermediate.

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