National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture

Farmworker Assistance – Disaster Emergency Grants to Assist Low-Income Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

2002 Farm Bill Section 10102, Title 10- Miscellaneous, Subtitle B- Disaster Assistance

Program Description

This provision in the 2002 Farm Bill removes restrictions on the amount of money that can be put into emergency grants to assist low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the case of disasters.

Unlike farmers, farmworkers affected by disaster typically do not receive any benefits for lost work. The new Farm Bill modifies an earlier program designed to provide emergency funding during disaster to farmworkers, by increasing funding for this program to "such sums as are necessary," removing the previous limit of $20 million. Grants are awarded to public agencies or non-profit organizations that provide services to low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers under the following conditions:

It is determined by the Secretary of Agriculture whether a national emergency or disaster has caused farmworkers to lose income, to be unable to work, or to stay or return home in anticipation of work shortages; and
Farmworkers must have performed farm work for wages during any consecutive 12-month period within the preceding 24-month period and annual family income must not exceed the higher of the poverty level or 70% of the lower living standard income level.

Who to Contact

Rural Coalition
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone (202) 628-7160