Ask any grower in Henderson County, and they will tell you the same thing: we could

not survive without our farmworkers. These dedicated individuals provide the

essential labor required to plant, prune, pick, harvest, and pack the products that

sustain our community and economy.

Despite doing what is statistically considered one of the two most dangerous jobs in the

United States, their vital role often goes unseen. In Henderson County, more than 90%

of our farmworkers come from Mexico, falling into three distinct categories:

• Seasonal Workers: Permanent residents of Henderson County who work on

local farms full- or part-time.

• Migrant Workers: Individuals who travel from state to state following the

agricultural seasons.

• H2A Workers: Holders of temporary guest visas contracted to work on specific

farms.

Through the North Carolina Farmworker Health and Safety Program, the Henderson

County Extension office delivers critical, life-saving education directly to the fields.

While federal law mandates that farmworkers receive annual Worker Protection

Standards (WPS) training, our program goes a step further. We provide this training in

person and on the farm, replacing impersonal videos with interactive, face-to-face

instruction. Our bilingual curriculum includes:

• Worker Protection Standards (WPS): Crucial pesticide safety and handling guidelines.
• Heat Stress Prevention: Education on the leading cause of death among agricultural workers.
• Health Updates and Translations: Up-to-date health information and custom translation assistance to support grower-worker communication.

Our work extends far beyond safety training; we are actively building a stronger, more

connected community.

The program successfully organized five Farmworker Fairs, with the sixth scheduled for

this July. Drawing more than 125 farmworkers and their families each year. Led by a

committee of local organizations dedicated to supporting our Latino community, we are

thrilled to announce that the Sixth Annual Farmworker Fair is scheduled for July 25

at Perez Brothers Farm.

We remain deeply involved in local food security initiatives, assisting with both the Hola

Carolina/MANNA Food Bank and IAM food box distribution events. Additionally, our

team is an active participant in Building Bridges meetings and has been invited to

speak at local churches and community organizations.

Since the inception of this program, the visibility of the Henderson County Extension

office has grown exponentially within the Latino community. Our success relies heavily

on collaboration, and we are proud to partner with incredible local organizations.

Organizations participating or supporting this year’s Farmworker Fair including:

• UNC Pardee
• True Ridge
• Blue Ridge Health
• Hola Carolina
• Henderson County Department of Public Health
• Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM)
• Pisgah Legal
• Blue Ridge Apple Growers (BRAG)
• Henderson County Rescue Squad
• The Free Clinics
• El Centro
• UNETE
• Hill Top Farm
• First United Methodist Church
• Grace Lutheran Church
• Unitarian Universalist Church
• Love and Respect
• And others

To ensure our program stays at the forefront of outreach and education, our team also

represents Henderson County at statewide events, including the Farmworker Institute

and the H2A arrival hub in Vass, NC.

Through education, outreach, and community partnership, the Henderson County

Farmworker Program continues to bridge gaps and protect the frontline workers of our

agricultural industry.