$1M grant helps Tulare County farmworkers pursue advance careers in Agriculture

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A $1 million grant from the Employment Development Department, EDD, is helping Tulare County farmworkers and their families pursue advanced careers in Agriculture.

The Workforce Investment Board and Employment Connection are providing services designed to support families and keep them in their communities through their Ag Skills Advancement program.

"Every person is treated as an individual, because everyone has their own experience, everyone has different goals, so we try to encourage ourselves and ourselves to provide the services that they expect," explains Dalila Silva, with Employment Connection.

Tulare County is one of three counties in the state that received funding for this program.

The collaborative effort has helped dozens since it began in July 2024.

Their services include career coaching, childcare and scholarships up to $5,000.

Support services also include transportation, interview attire and college application help.

It's something one Tulare County mother hopes can help launch her new career path.

She says, "Watching my kids grow up and continue with their education and achieving their goals made me want to continue with mine and I know it's not too late, so I'm doing it myself."

Youth as young as 16 can seek services.

The youth program focuses on people ages 16 to 24. The Adult Program helps those 24 and older.

The goal is to help ease financial burdens.

Helping build the next generation of leaders in the ag-industry.

"We have been operating this grant for a little over a year. We have been pretty successful in placing individuals in either upscaling their position, or brand new positions, or brand new training, such as agriculture, health care, logistics," mentions Desiree Linderos, Program Coordinator at Workforce Investment Board.

The first free information session starts Thursday, November 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 54 N. Main Street, Porterville, CA.

The grant runs through September 2026.

You do need to bring your driver's license or ID, Social Security card, and details on whether or not you receive any public assistance.

For more information on the Ag-Skills Advancement Program, multiple resources and future sessions, you can visit here.

You can also visit in person at their various locations; there are over a dozen in Tulare County listed here.

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