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.
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NAPA, CA (March 31, 2023) – On March 24, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) launched a brand-new professional development program - a Women’s Leadership Workshop - focused on supporting new and aspiring female supervisors. The one-day workshop at Napa Valley College supported a full classroom of 40 supervisors from winery and vineyard management businesses across the Napa Valley.
“It’s important for women to know their avenues of growth, and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was the perfect space to share this information,” said Mary Maher, director of company culture for Silverado Farming Company and president for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, “Women are hungry for these opportunities, and to be at the workshop, watching shy women feel comfortable raising their hands…it was inspiring.” The morning began with a panel featuring highly regarded senior supervisors, Dolores Torres of Harlan Estate, Carina de la Cruz of Renteria Vineyard Management, and Celia Perez of V.Sattui Winery, and Daniela Bazán of Bazán Vineyard Management moderated. The panelists shared their career experiences, their love for the industry, and advice for newly appointed supervisors, which included meaningful mentorship, job challenges, and the qualities that led to their success. Dolores Torres counseled, “We grow stronger when we can teach those who come to us. By teaching them, we open doors. We strive together and we achieve together.” Erika Velazquez with Pan American Insurance followed the panel with a presentation on why Women Make Great Supervisors. She set the tone by acknowledging that agriculture has historically been a male dominated world, but today, women, and especially women of color, have new opportunities; they are trailblazers in agriculture. Their communication skills, preference for teamwork, resilience, and ability to multi-task make them successful when given the opportunity to lead. As a trailblazer herself, Erika is a single mom of three, who works full-time and just completed a master’s program in Occupational Health & Safety. Her story inspired the women to have faith in themselves and what they can accomplish. In the session called, Speaking Up, attendees were asked to make a short presentation in front of their peers on a microphone. Approximately three quarters of the women in the room raised their hand indicating it was the first time they had ever had the opportunity. Following lunch, Devorah and Claudia from Devorah Allen Solorio Consulting, led the discussion on creating opportunity for leadership by taking a 360 perspective on the company and understanding how the different parts contribute to the overall success of the whole. Continuing to learn and building a network of support were also important themes that emerged. The day concluded with a presentation from Napa County Health on women’s wellness and the opportunity to practice relaxation techniques for healthy stress management. Starting in 2023, the FWF launched a new supervisor development series, including the Women’s Leadership Workshop, based on the results from last year’s University of California Cooperative Extension Job Satisfaction Survey. The results were used by the FWF Education Committee to meet the needs of farmworkers and their employers. For press inquiries regarding the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s women leadership workshop, please email Caroline Feuchuk, Marketing Director, at cfeuchuk@napagrowers.org. About the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Founded by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011, the mission of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is the only one of its kind in the United States, providing educational opportunities, advanced training programs, leadership and management classes, English literacy programs, and much more. To date, the Farmworker Foundation has offered education and professional development opportunities to more than 21,000 vineyard workers and their families. In March, Farmworker Foundation is offering three free financial literacy workshops on Zoom. To sign up, please visit our event calendar or register through the links below. Common Workplace Calculations
March 7 | 7:00-8:00am | Zoom Join Professor Guillermo Gonzalez and practice solving common computations that require multiplication and division such as number of vines per acre, acres completed, vines completed per hour, and how many work hours were spent on each acre. Farm Operations Budgeting and Future Projections March 14 | 7:00-8:00am | Zoom Factors that determine if a wine program is profitable include not only the cost of production but also a cost unique to agriculture; cost per acre. Join Rolando Sanchez of Walsh Vineyards Management to work through three simple scenarios in which a wine program is making money, breaking even, or losing money, and how farming costs relate to the bottom line. Tax Preparation Support Resources March 21 | 3:00-3:30pm | Zoom Join us for this 30 minute online workshop with UpValley Family Centers to find out where to go and what to bring for free tax filing assistance for qualifying individuals and families in Napa County. Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) has established the Robert Alexander Scott Scholarship Fund, which will make its first scholarship awards this year and memorializes Robert Alexander Scott (Alex). The scholarship is made possible by contributions of the family of Mr. Scott and those of his colleagues at Scott Laboratories. The Petaluma-based Scott Laboratories is a major supplier of goods and services to the North American wine industry.
The scholarship awards will support entry-level or non-supervisory vineyard and winery workers seeking to advance their careers, regardless of county residency. Scholarships support study toward a certificate or an associate degree in viticulture or enology at one of the following colleges: Napa Valley College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Allan Hancock College, Cuesta College, Walla Walla Community College or Umpqua Community College. Children and spouses/partners of eligible employees may also apply. “Alex worked at Scott Laboratories from 2005 until his death in 2021. During his career, Alex developed a concern that the industry should commit itself to the welfare of those who work in it. In particular, he wanted to help people to help themselves move up the ladder,” noted his father, Bruce Scott. Obtaining some formal education is key to advancing your career, explained Gustavo Avina, “Receiving my viticulture certification from Napa Valley College was an important step in my career. When I began, I was a regular vineyard worker and now I am the Viticulture Director for Pine Ridge Vineyards. Education is very important if you want a better position at work.” Ellen Drayton, who oversees scholarships at Napa Valley Community Foundation, added, “We are very excited about the opportunities that the Robert Alexander Scott scholarship affords our hardworking wine industry employees. Our scholarship portfolio, which is the largest in the Valley, is growing each year to include more vocational training opportunities to boost our local workforce.” The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is assisting NVCF with its efforts to get the scholarship in front of as many eligible workers as possible. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was founded on the principle that education is fundamental to success: it is limitless; provides a high return on investment; and once attained, can never be taken away. The Robert Alexander Scott Scholarship puts opportunity within reach for farmworkers and their families.” said Sonya DeLuca, Farmworker Foundation Interim Executive Director. The deadline to apply for the Robert Alexander Scott Scholarship is March 6, 2023, apply at https://bit.ly/ScottScholarship. An Expert Display of Technique and Speed at the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation's Pruning Contest2/6/2023 By Nick Otto, Napa Valley Register
Scenes from the 21st annual Napa County Pruning Contest, which took place at Beringer Vineyards' Gamble Ranch near Yountville on Saturday. An Expert Display of Technique and Speed at the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation's Pruning Contest2/6/2023 Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s 21st annual Napa County Pruning Contest first place finishers, Alejandra Mendoza of Trefethen Family Vineyards (left) and Rene Alejo of FARM Napa Valley (right). Photo by Suzanne Becker Bronk The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) celebrated its 21st Annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 4. It was a perfect day as 106 contestants displayed speed and technique in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals.
“The Napa County Pruning Contest continues to get better every year. Participants are passionate about improving their skills and competing against their peers,” said Rolando Sanchez, General Manager for Walsh Vineyards Management, and member of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Education Committee, “The Pruning Contest is an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape growing.” The FWF’s Napa County Pruning Contest is a community event with activities and giveaways for competitors and their families. At this year’s event, FWF handed out warm beanies and long-sleeved shirts, Bombas contributed socks of all sizes, and Copperfield’s Books donated children’s books. During the main event, each of the contestants pruned five vines in the day’s preliminary competition. Those with the highest scores went on to the final round, which produced the winners: 4 in the women’s division and 4 in the men’s division. The winners took home a generous bucket of gifts, which included cash, pruning tools, clothing, Napa Valley wine, gift cards and other prizes; a handmade silver belt buckle from Max Lang Belt and Buckles and first-ever champions jacket from FELCO was given to the 1st place winners. Employers typically match the cash prize winnings, so the day was highly rewarding for the top 8 finalists. All contestants enjoyed lunch catered by Tacos El Muchacho Alegre between competition rounds. Past Napa County Pruning Contest champions judged the competition this year, which was an opportunity to inspire competitors. “As a past winner, now judging, I’m proud and happy to be helping and hope to encourage competitors to win,” said Celia Perez of V. Sattui Winery and the first women’s division champion in 2014, “People think that the Pruning Contest is only for men, but I am here to prove it’s for everyone, and that anyone can win.” Competitors are Napa County farmworkers and full-time employees. All farmworkers who work in Napa County are eligible to compete. Winners received: 1st Place: $1,675 in cash and gifts cards plus a custom trophy belt buckle; FELCO champions jacket and vineyard loppers; Central Valley tools and supplies; Napa Valley wine 2nd Place: $1,075 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO vineyard loppers; Central Valley tools and supplies; Napa Valley wine 3rd Place: $800 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO vineyard loppers; Central Valley tools and supplies; Napa Valley wine 4th Place: $550 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO Swiss Knife; Central Valley tools and supplies; Napa Valley wine Women’s Division Winners: 1st Place: Alejandra Mendoza, Trefethen Family Vineyards 2nd Place: Reyna Hernandez, Walsh Vineyard Management 3rd Place: Ana Mejia, Trefethen Family Vineyards 4th Place: Irene Escoto, Trefethen Family Vineyards Men’s Division Winners: 1st Place: Rene Alejo, FARM Napa Valley 2nd Place: Jesús Alejandro Contreras, Pearls Farm Labor 3rd Place: Lorenzo Hernandez, Walsh Vineyard Management 4th Place: Sergio Melgoza, Rocca Family Wines Support for this event was provided by sponsors Nemerever Vineyards, Pulido~Walker, Silicon Valley Bank, Martinez Orchards, Central Valley Ag Supplies, FELCO, Duarte Trees & Vines, Sunbelt Rentals, Ag Health Benefits Alliance, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, Jaguar Farm Labor Contracting, Crocker & Starr, Brotemarkle Davis & Co, H&E Equipment Services, Malloy Imrie & Vasconi Insurance Services, Novavine, Pearls Farm Labor, Renteria Vineyard Management, Silver Oak, John Derr Farming, Grow West, Sunridge Nurseries, Taddei Vineyards, Gonzalez Vineyard Management, V. Sattui Winery, A&J Vineyard Supply, Larkmead Vineyards, Green Valley Tractor, and our partner in health, OLE Health. Thank you to the Napa Valley community members who served on the Napa County Pruning Contest Committee: Macy Stubstad, Co-Chair, Lawrence Wine Estates; Kendall Smith, Co-Chair, Grace Family Vineyards; Garrett Buckland, Premiere Viticultural Services; Brianna Beighle, Bryant Wines; Pam Bond, Allied Grape Growers; Chad Clark, Allied Grape Growers; Gustavo Avina, Pine Ridge; Blake Wood, Beckstoffer Vineyards; and Hayden Schmidter, Moulds Family Vineyard. Meet Casimiro Zaragoza, from Joseph Phelps Vineyards and 2022 Men’s Division champion. When asked what advice he would give others who want to compete, and win — he tells it's important to have a positive attitude, and to grab the sheers without fear and focus on cutting. Stay tuned on Saturday February 4th when we announce the top four winners in each division Read full interview with Casimiro here. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) hosted its annual Leadership and Management Conference on November 16, 17 and 18, 2022. The popular, 3-day educational conference provided 250 Napa County vineyard supervisors and fieldworkers the opportunity to gain professional and personal skills, with a goal to help them advance in their careers. All seminars are hosted in Spanish by experts from businesses across the Northern California Bay Area, like UC Davis, Redwood Credit Union, AgSafe, Strategic Retirement Partners, County of Napa, Napa County Resource Conservation District, Inglenook, Pan American Insurance Services, California Highway Patrol, Duarte Nursery, Napa County Agricultural Office, and Nicola Health & Safety. The agenda for the Leadership and Management Conference is carefully selected by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Education Committee and designed specifically for those who work in the vineyard. For the 2022 conference, the committee created a professional development-rich agenda with seminars like best practices on winterization in the vineyard, water management, road safety, common pesticide violations, and current requirements for pesticide handlers. Beyond the professional development aspects of the conference, the event offered personal skill workshops. Topics included personal budgeting for the year ahead, multigenerational communication, investing in the future, and fraud protection. The professional and personal components of the conference ensure a comprehensive experience that is distinct to programs offered by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. Speaker, Miguel Garcia, from the Napa County Resource Conservation District said, “We appreciated being invited to speak on soil health, sustainable farming practices, and erosion prevention in vineyards. It was a great pleasure to mingle with so many nice people and to hear about their experiences in the field. I would like to think that my role in this event each year is to pass knowledge onto farmworkers, but the reality is that I learn just as much from them as they do from me.” A highly interactive moment from this year’s conference came during a new experience called, Vineyard Table Talks. The talks gave vineyard supervisors a space to exchange their views on four topics: education, leadership, farming adaptations to climate change, and farming for wine quality. “Attendees were energized by the topics,” said Erika Velázquez, from Pan American Insurance Services and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Education Committee member, “It was an excellent way to introduce serious conversations in a casual setting – and a comfortable way for individuals to share perspectives on the issues facing the Napa County community.” Finally, attendee, Porfirio Martinez from Carpenter Vineyards, who attended over 150 hours of FWF events and programs in 2022, was honored by FWF Board Vice President and Chair of the Education Committee, Arnulfo Solorio of Silverado Farming Company, with the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Scholar Award. The award recognized his participation in the FWF, and his dedication to education and gaining skills to advance in his career. Martinez enthusiastically shared, “It is always good to learn, and if we are given an opportunity to attend classes, it is to improve as a person. It also improves one's job and broadens one's knowledge and learning.”
Thank you to these FWF Strategic Partners for making the Leadership and Management Conference possible: Pulido~Walker, Martinez Orchards, Far Niente, Circle R Ranch & Vineyards, Vine Hill Ranch, Silver Oak Cellars, MCE Clean Energy, V. Sattui Winery, Hudson Ranch, Yount Mill Vineyards, Oak Knoll Ranch/Lamoreaux Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Napa Select Vineyard Services, Green Valley Tractor, A&J Vineyard Supply, Pan American Insurance, Redwood Credit Union, and Servín-López Vineyard Management. Next year’s leadership program will be hosted on November 8-10, 2023, under the new name, CULTIVAR. In partnership with the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is offering Copperfield's Books gift cards to children of farmworkers. Copperfield's is a great local business filled with holiday treasures for children of all ages.
Program Details
Heritage Housing & Valle Verde - an 88-unit Affordable Housing project – is under construction, after 7 years in the making. The project is a mix of supportive housing, and includes 27 units that will be set-aside for Agricultural Labor/Farmworkers through state funding. Applications will be open closer to the completion of construction, but interest can be indicated by filling out a short form on the Burbank Housing website now. Learn more. Heritage Housing & Valle Verde - un proyecto de 88 unidades de vivienda accesible - está en construcción, después de 7 años en desarrollo. El proyecto es una mezcla de viviendas de apoyo, e incluye 27 unidades que serán reservados para los trabajadores del campo / Agricultura a través de la financiación estatal. Las solicitudes se abrirán más cerca de la finalización de la construcción, pero se puede indicar el interés rellenando un breve formulario en el sitio web de Burbank Housing ahora. Lea el folleto para trabajadores del campo
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