National Farmworker Jobs Program

To help low-income individuals who are primarily employed in agricultural and fish farming labor, obtain and retain employment, or stabilize their employment in agriculture. Additionally, dependents of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers may r

The National Farmworker Jobs Program serves adult and youth agricultural workers, including migrant and seasonal farm workers, who are low-income and have been employed in agricultural and fish farming labor, and their dependents. Career Services and Training participants receive career services and workforce development training opportunities that lead to industry-recognized credentials and access to jobs and career paths in agriculture and other industries. Housing participants receive housing services to help them address immediate and near-term housing needs so that they are able to achieve their education and career goals.

Per section 167(b) of WIOA and 20 CFR 685.200, to be eligible to receive an NFJP grant, an entity must have: 1) an understanding of the problems of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers, including their dependents; 2) a familiarity with the agricultural industries and the labor market needs of the proposed service area; and 3) the ability to demonstrate a capacity to administer and deliver effectively a diversified program of workforce investment activities, including youth workforce investment activities, and related assistance for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers.

To receive NFJP services an individual must be either a(n): A. Eligible seasonal farmworker adult (ages 18 and older), Eligible migrant farmworker adult (ages 18 and older, and Eligible migrant and seasonal farmworker (MSFW) Youth (ages 14-24), as defined in Training and Employment Guidance Letter 18-16, Change 2 or successive guidance. B. Additionally, Dependent Adult of an eligible MSFW and Dependent Youth of an eligible MSFW).

Per 20 CFR 685.440 (a) costs are classified as follows: (1) Administrative costs, as defined in § 683.215 of this chapter; and (2) Program costs, which are all other costs not defined as administrative. (b) Program costs must be classified and reported in the following categories: (1) Related assistance (including emergency assistance); (2) Supportive services; and (3) All other program services. Also, see 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and 2 CFR Part 2900 (Uniform Guidance - DOL).

The National Farmworker Jobs Program appropriations specify that, of the funds provided for Career Services and Training Grants, "not less than 70 percent shall be for employment and training services." Accordingly, Career Services and Training grant recipients may spend up to 30 percent of their awarded funds on a combination of administrative costs and other program costs, further subject to the administrative cost limitation of 15 percent specified in 20 CFR 685.450. Additionally, for Housing Services grant recipients, the appropriations require that the Department awards at least 70 percent of the funds for permanent housing. An entity that receives a grant to carry out a project or program is limited to 15 percent of the amount of the grant to pay administrative costs associated with the program or project.

The period of performance is 51 months.

Selection criteria are described in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Competing applications will be rated according to criteria included in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Awards are made directly to eligible applicants by the Employment and Training Administration.

Note that 20 CFR Part 683 allows unsuccessful applicants to file administrative appeals.