This bill creates a new federal grant program to provide emergency relief to farmworkers affected by disasters, including severe weather events (like droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires), pandemics, and other situations that cause farmworkers to lose income or be unable to work. The Department of Agriculture will distribute grants through the Under Secretary for Rural Development to eligible farmworker organizations—which include farmworker membership groups and nonprofit organizations with experience supporting migrant or seasonal farmworkers—whenever the Secretary determines a covered disaster exists. Eligible farmworker organizations can use these funds to provide direct financial assistance to affected workers, build emergency response capacity, strengthen community resilience, provide shelter and infrastructure support, and offer other emergency services deemed appropriate by the Secretary. The bill specifies that funds will begin in fiscal year 2024 and continue indefinitely, with money remaining available until spent, and requires the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan for promoting the program and to consult with farmworker organizations throughout its implementation.
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