Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Reappointments to the Farmworker Advisory Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for reappointments to the Farmworker Advisory Commission, each for a first full 4-year term ending September 30, 2027:
A) Corina Rodriguez Perez, representing Community-Based Organization (Puente); and
B) Jorge Sanchez, representing Community-Based Organization (ALAS); and
C) Rogelio Nabor-Martinez, representing Farmworker; and
D) John Vars, representing Agricultural Advisory Committee.
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BACKGROUND:
On June 14, 2022, the Board of Supervisors established the San Mateo County Farmworker Advisory Commission (Resolution No. 078906). The agriculture industry is a major component of the San Mateo County economy. According to a 2019 Needs Assessment conducted by the County’s Healthcare for the Homeless and Farmworker Health (HCH/FH) Program, there are approximately 80 farms in the County, and they employ between 1,300-1,600 farmworkers. Yet many of these farmworkers have unmet needs and require support on issues such as employment, working conditions, immigration, healthcare, education, accessing safety net services, and affordable housing.
Aside from HCH/FH, which is focused solely on providing healthcare to farmworkers, no County program exists to specifically promote the needs of farmworkers and their families, or to recommend programs, plans, and policies that would help farmworkers access benefits and services and address their unmet needs.
This ten-member Commission promotes programs and policies that address the unmet needs of farmworkers in San Mateo County. The Commission’s areas of focus include: advising the Board of Supervisors and County agencies on effectively outreaching to farmworkers and their families; helping farmworkers and their families navigate public agencies and access benefits and services; raising awareness among farmworkers about labor laws and other protections; bringing visibility to issues that disproportionately affect farmworkers; and helping to build trust and relationships in the County’s agricultural community, particularly between employers and employees.
Commissioners must be residents of San Mateo County and be members of one of the following groups: four (4) farmworkers, three (3) representatives from a designated community-based organization that targets and benefits the County’s farmworker population; 1 (one) family member of a farmworker; 1 (one) member from the San Mateo County Agricultural Advisory Committee; and 1 (one) representative from the agricultural industry who is not a farmworker.
DISCUSSION:
Upon the creation of the Farmworker Advisory Commission, some members were appointed to staggered terms for continuity. The terms of Corina, Rogelio, and John in this appointment memo were staggered as partial 2-year terms at that time, and are being recommended for reappointment upon approval of this memorandum to reflect a term effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027.
Jorge Sanchez was appointed in 2023 to an existing partial term ending September 30, 2024. This reappointment reflects his first full 3-year term effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027.
Rogelio Nabor-Martinez wants to devote some of his time to help others so that what he has experienced does not happen to them. Since his arrival in the United States, he has always worked on farms and wants people to understand that in any job all should be treated equally. He would like for employers to treat their employees like partners because if the boss or steward treats workers well, they will do better in the assigned work.
Corina Rodriguez Perez is a proud daughter of hardworking immigrant parents from Mexico who obtained their lawful permanent residency through the Immigration Reform and Contract Act of 1986. Her strong interest in serving on the Farmworkers Advisory Commission is rooted in her deep care and love for the community where she and her family have built their lives for three generations now. She understands the depth of sacrifices that her parents made to give her and her siblings as many opportunities as possible to build better lives. She decided to work alongside the dedicated staff at Puente de la Costa Sur, so she can advocate for and give back to farmworkers and their families in the south coast of San Mateo County. Currently she oversees Puente’s immigration and safety net services. As a Pescadero community member and Puente employee she has established collaborative relationships with local community organizations and farm and nursery employees and owners. She has a BA in Collaborative Health and Human Services with a Minor in Public Administration from California State University Monterey Bay.
John Vars is a graduate of Brown University in Geology and Latin American Studies, where through an awareness of environmental and development issues he developed a profound interest in sustainable agriculture. He studied organic farming practices at the UCSC Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) for two years. He managed Green Oaks Creek Farm near Año Nuevo in 2004 and 2005, and went on to manage the farm at the Esalen Institute for two seasons, teaching the basics of organic farming to dozens of interns, before starting Fifth Crow Farm. He is fluent in Spanish and loves working with the Fifth Crow’s growing crew of Spanish speakers. He also enjoys the opportunity to mentor the young people who have come to Fifth Crow Farm in hopes of one day starting their own farm business. John has served on the Agricultural Advisory Committee since 2017 and is representing said committee on the Farmworker Advisory Commission.
Jorge Sanchez is a Montara resident who has worked for the nonprofit organization ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar) as a member of the Farmworker Outreach Team for over four years. In this role, he engages daily with farmworkers, their families and employers to assess, advocate and address the needs to improve the quality of life for farmworkers. He has also served as a volunteer in the ALAS food pantry, partnering with Coastside Hope and other community organizations to serve coast residents in need.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.