Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Appointment to the Farmworker Advisory Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the appointment of Jorge Sanchez to the Farmworker Advisory Commission, representing Community-Based Organization for an initial partial term ending September 30, 2024.
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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:
Jorge Sanchez is being recommended to represent a Community-Based Organization seats, one seat of which was formerly held by Judith Guerrero who is currently serving as a Family member representative on the commission. Jorge 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 three 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.