The harvest is quickly moving toward peak season, with fields of vegetables, leafy greens and strawberries becoming a hub of activity. Those who nurture, irrigate and harvest these crops are essential to the industry’s success, and it is the responsibility of every farmer and harvesting company to ensure a safe and equitable work environment. California laws and regulations protecting farmworkers are the most stringent in the nation and have become a model for other states.
But there’s more all of us across farming, hospitality, tourism and beyond can do to help seasonal workers thrive in our region.
In agriculture, many workers return to the same crew season after season, building relationships and reliability. Beyond the fields, opportunities have expanded in cooling facilities and processing plants. Some of these facilities operate year-round by handling product grown in desert regions during the Salinas Valley’s off-season, offering consistent schedules and predictable income even when local harvests slow. Employers compete for workers by emphasizing that reliability.
UC Davis research on California farm labor highlights this reality: as the workforce ages and new entrants become harder to find, employers invest heavily in retention. H-2A guest workers can help fill peak-time gaps, but local crews remain the backbone. The result is more full-time positions than many realize — especially for those who advance into handling, cooling or quality-control roles inside facilities.
Seasonal workers also have clear pathways into specialized, higher-paying positions, such as equipment operators (tractors, harvesters and other machinery), forklift operators, mechanics or crew supervisors. Many companies partner with community colleges for English classes, technical certifications, and leadership development that support these internal promotions.
California already sets a high bar for farmworker protections and compensation — including mandatory workers’ compensation, the nation’s highest minimum wage, overtime pay, paid sick leave, heat-illness prevention, ongoing safety training and strict pesticide rules. Many Salinas Valley employers go further because attracting and keeping skilled people in a tight labor market demands it.
Health insurance is offered by many employers in the region. Under the federal Affordable Care Act, those with 50 or more full-time employees must offer coverage to eligible workers, and many farmers, shippers and farm-labor contractors here meet or exceed that standard. Wellness programs and on-site health fairs bring free screenings, flu shots, injury-prevention education and nutrition advice directly to the workplace.
So what systemic policy drivers need to be addressed — and by whom — to reasonably, and tangibly enhance affordability for many across the Central Coast?
Local and state policymakers are best positioned to deliver real progress. By streamlining permitting, reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to cut unnecessary delays, investing in water-supply infrastructure to ease development restrictions, and reducing excessive development fees and regulatory burdens, they can make new housing construction far more feasible and affordable.
The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) actively advocates for precisely these reforms, while many farming companies continue to make substantial private investments in modern housing complexes across the Salinas Valley. These projects are often townhome-style or well-designed apartment developments featuring community gathering spaces, recreational areas, playgrounds and secure parking.
Building housing is expensive, yet employers see it as essential for retaining reliable crews and offering dignified living conditions. While public and nonprofit projects also contribute, grower-supported housing has become an increasingly important part of the solution.
None of this happens in isolation. Monterey County agriculture is a major economic contributor, generating over 81,000 jobs that support local schools, restaurants and stores. In other words, ag workers support other workers in other industries by seeking goods and services for their families. We are all interdependent.
Farm work is hard. No one who has spent a day in the fields would pretend otherwise. Seasonality, physical demands and regional cost-of-living pressures are real challenges shared by many industries on the Central Coast. Yet the full picture includes meaningful efforts by many employers to offer stability, benefits and community.
While it is important to increase knowledge and understanding about ag-worker income and protections, we must also provide context for constructive conversations — conversations that recognize shared concerns, celebrate progress and focus on solutions that strengthen both the people who work the land and the industry that feeds the nation. When communities and policymakers work together, everyone benefits.
Christopher Valadez is President/CEO of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, representing farmers, shippers, processors, harvesters and allied businesses throughout Monterey County and the Central Coast.
