March 2019
House Farm Workers!
Working to promote safe, decent, secure and affordable housing for all
Ventura County farm workers since 2004.
Recent Events
Farm Worker Housing Workshop: co-hosted by the Farm Bureau of Ventura County and House Farm Workers!
On March 22nd, the Farm Bureau of Ventura County and House Farm Workers! co-hosted a farm worker housing workshop, which addressed the topic of how to build farm worker housing on agricultural land.

Ventura County's agricultural industry faces many challenges, but one of the most pressing is a persistent shortage of workers. In some of California's growing regions, employers are increasingly developing farm worker housing as a way of stabilizing their work force and gaining an edge in competition over a limited labor pool. And although Ventura County is known as a difficult place to develop housing, provisions in state and county regulations make it easier than ever before for owners of agricultural land to develop farm worker housing of all types - from single-family homes to apartment complexes - on their property. County senior planner, Ruchita Kadakia, gave a comprehensive presentation on a variety of information, from current county and state policies to standardized plans that could work for farm worker housing. County Environmental Health specialist, Rebecca Lustig, provided more information on water and sewer regulations. Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund , and Karen Flock, Senior Developer at the Housing Authority of the city of San Buenaventura , gave a presentation on financing farm worker housing.

There was a great turn out of about 50 stakeholders including local agricultural land owners, housing developers, farm worker housing advocates, and farm labor contractors.

Links to the presentations are below:

Other links:
Rancho Verde farm worker apartments - applications open!

Applications are being accepted for the Rancho Verde Apartments in Ventura. Rancho Verde is a 24‐unit, multi‐family rental development for farm worker households earning between 30% and 50% area median income. The property is part of the Hansen Trust Specific Plan Area. Years of advocacy and community organizing was involved in getting this development built! Thank you to the Housing Authority of San Buenaventura for your commitment to affordable housing for our farm workers! Click the flyer for more information and access the online application HERE .
Things to Know
From Field to Fork

Save the date for our 9th annual fundraiser!

On July 18, 2019 join us for a celebration of food, farms, and farm workers. This event brings together farmers who produce Ventura County's agricultural bounty, chefs who celebrate that bounty on their menus, and the farm workers whose labor makes it all possible.

Date: Thursday, July 18
Time: 4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: The Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Ranch, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark

Tickets will go on sale May 17th. Click HERE to purchase.

If you would like to sponsor the event, email us at info@housefarmworkers.org for more information.
Ellen Brokaw House Farm Workers! Scholarship

Our online scholarship application is open and due on May 3rd! We will award three $2,000 awards each to children of farm workers going on to college.

Along with access to safe housing, we believe that all members of our community can benefit from opportunities for greater education. This scholarship reflects our commitment to making sure our farm worker families can thrive.

The scholarship is named in honor of Ellen Brokaw, founding chairwoman of House Farm Workers! A prominent member of Ventura County’s agricultural community, involved in production of lemons, avocados and nursery stock, she has been an inspirational leader in the long campaign to improve the lives of farm workers and their families.

Requirements:
  • You must be a child of a farm worker (seasonal, retired, or injured from farm work is OK).
  • You must be a senior graduating from high school who has maintained a minimum 2.3 GPA average and be accepted by a two- or four-year college, OR be a current college student with a minimum 2.5 GPA average.

Donor Spotlight
Sending out a heartfelt thank you to all who supported our annual campaign.

You helped us raise over $25,000 in our direct mail, annual appeal! Your donations will support our ongoing efforts to promote safe, decent, and affordable housing for farm workers. Those efforts include local farm worker housing advocacy at the city and county levels, informing our community about the need and ways to advocate, and cultivating the next generation of farm worker housing advocate leaders through our farm worker immersion program.

Thank you donors!

Allan Pinkerton ・ Barbara Macri-Ortiz ・ Bobby Jones ・ Brendan and Elizabeth Brett ・ Brianne McGrath ・ Carolyn Tyner ・Dana Thomas ・ Dave Murray ・David and Christine Cullenberg ・David Shain ・ Diane Ross ・ Dorcas Thille ・ Elena Brokaw ・Ellen Brokaw ・ Emily Ayala ・ Frank Naumann ・ Gail Weller Brown ・ Hedrick Properties ・ J. M. Sharp Company ・ Jan Marholin ・ Janna Minsk ・ Jeannette Jennett ・ JH Douglas and Associates ・ Jim Lloyd-Butler ・ John Orr ・ Juanita Suarez Pankow ・ Karol Schulkin ・ Kate McLean ・ Katherine Beattie ・ Leslie Leavens ・ Lily Kiceniuk ・ Marilyn Green ・ Mary Maranville ・ Mary McGrath ・ Mike and Linda Bowe Mike Brucker ・Nan Waltman ・ Norman Ellstrand ・ Paul & Marguerite Stouthamer ・ Paula Munoz ・ Pete Fallini ・ Phil McGrath ・ PL-B Ranch, LLC ・ Rancho Abuelos ・ Rick Nahmias ・Sal Gonzalez ・ Shane L. Butler Family Growers ・ Sheila Tate ・Thomas and Shari Smith ・ Wim Zwinkels
Volunteer Appreciation
We love our volunteers. Are you excited to get involved? Many hands make light work.
 House Farm Workers! has established committees in Ventura County. These volunteer-driven committees are the heart of the organization and have played a critical role in advocating on behalf of the farm worker community for the past 10 years. The city groups mobilize public support, engage public officials, and collaborate with other grassroots organizations to ensure affordable housing for farm workers.


Interested? Click below for more information.



Donations to House Farm Workers! are always welcome and are tax-deductible. To donate and support our ongoing work, click below.
Support House Farm Workers! while you shop.
House Farm Workers!
805-921-0430  info@housefarmworkers.org 
www.housefarmworkers.org