California employs approximately 800,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are vital to the state’s economy. These farmworkers produce over 400 different agricultural commodities, propelling the state to become a leader in agricultural goods processing nationwide and worldwide. To express gratitude to these essential workers, the Employment Development Department (EDD) and other partners hosted its annual Farmworkers Appreciation Breakfast. The event took place in Calexico, CA, and served an estimated 2,500 Imperial County agricultural workers.

Calexico is in Imperial County, which has a higher proportion of agricultural workers compared to other regions of California. As per records of October 2024, jobs in the agriculture industry stand at 13.4% of all jobs in the El Centro Metropolitan Statistical Area, including Calexico. In comparison, agricultural jobs only account for 2.2% of the total jobs in California.

EDD further estimates that about 17,579 migrant and seasonal farmworkers were employed in Imperial County over the year 2023-24, with a total of 784,279 employed statewide during the same period. Imperial County contributed approximately $2.7 billion to the agriculture industry production in 2023.

To serve California’s agricultural workers, EDD collaborates with various agencies and organizations through its Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program. The primary aim of this collaboration is to help farmworkers attain long-term prosperity and autonomy through different programs. EDD also facilitates a complaint system through their Monitor Advocate Office (MAO) which links farmworkers and the Department, ensuring that state and federal rules are observed. The system further allows farmworkers to report any grievances, from inadequate shade during hot weather to not getting paid appropriately.

For additional information on these EDD services, agricultural workers, and their employers are advised to visit the EDD’s Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker webpage. It provides links to valuable resources for workers and employers in the agriculture industry. EDD also offers multilingual services, providing assistance to clients in their preferred language. There are bilingual staff members and free translation services offered in over 200 languages.

In the case of further questions or clarification, the EDD has made available various means of communication. The fastest way to get through to EDD is by visiting eddcaller.com, which provides essential contact information and briefings on how to contact EDD efficiently. The EDD is committed to supporting California’s farmworkers, assuring them that their contributions are valued and not ignored.