‘People are really hurting right now.’ How COVID-19 is hitting SLO County farm workers
As an experienced farm worker in Arroyo Grande, Angel feels fortunate to have a job right now.
But he’s faced a number of challenges during the coronavirus pandemic — from figuring out how to maintain social distancing while working in the fields to figuring out childcare.
Angel has three kids — ages 6, 14 and 18. With in-person schooling canceled, his oldest children must take care of the little one when his wife and he are at work amid state and county shelter-at-home orders.
“It’s not ideal but it has to be done,” said Angel in Spanish. “Thank God my wife and I have work to earn money for them.”
Angel has also wrestled with finding a balance between keeping safe amid COVID-19 and comfortable working conditions. He finds wearing a face mask uncomfortable and hot — and like others at Rutiz Family Farms, he chooses not to wear one working unless he’s near any customers at the farm stand then he diligently dons a covering.
The Tribune is using only Angel’s first name, and the first names of his co-workers, at his employer’s request.
Like many San Luis Obispo County residents, local farm workers have had to adjust to numerous challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines.
Many of Angel’s friends and family members who work in the service industry have been laid off from their jobs at hotels and restaurants and have currently have no source of income.
“If they don’t have social security papers, there’s not much help from the government,” Angel said. “If the man works (but lost his job) and the wife is in the house, they don’t have assistance. It’s a problem.”
Child care, social distancing among hardships in SLO County
Undocumented workers aren’t eligible for federal unemployment.
Gov. Gavin Newsom allocated $75 million in state funds to help undocumented people with unemployment aid, an allocation that held up in a state Supreme Court decision this week after a legal challenge.
Aside from financial challenges, health and safety and child care are among the key challenges for undocumented workers like those at local farms.
“It’s a bit of a problem because the kids don’t want to be pent up,” said Raul, Angel’s coworker at Rutiz Family Farms. “They want go out, they want to go around, or go to the store. They don’t want to be in the house.”
Additionally, parties and social gatherings have ceased, they say, and churches aren’t meeting for in-person services. These traditionally connect farm worker and undocumented communities.
SLO County farmer: Immigration policy reform needed
Jerry Rutiz said it’s a busy season for workers at his South County farm, who plant and harvest strawberries, lettuce, cut flowers and many other crops. Locals have been flocking to the farm’s stand for fresh fruits and veggies, and signing up for produce subscription boxes.
“In the last couple of weeks we’ve had the community come up to us and say ‘We see your guys working so hard out in the field. What can we do to show our appreciation?’ ” Rutiz said. “They say ‘Should we drop off some gloves or face masks?’ I say ‘No, not really. We have those things.’
“I say ‘You really want to do something? Call up your congressman and tell your congressman that we need a good immigration law, a good immigration policy in this country that respects and values the workers.’ ”
Rutiz said he’s hired American-born workers in the past, adding that they typically can’t hold up to the demands of agriculture labor and quit.
“We need to show these workers they’re appreciated by the community and allow them to stay here and not be afraid of our government,” Rutiz said.
Brent Burchett, executive director of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, agrees that a more effective worker policy is needed because farms are experiencing labor shortages.
The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak could further diminish the local workforce and impact food supply, he said.
“Some of the workers live together or they’re mixing with two different crews,” Burchett said. “The biggest fear for farmers is that workers could get sick. They’re explaining procedures to the workers. They’re staggering breaks so they’re maintaining the social distance. The No. 1 priority is to keep workers safe.”
How local farm workers are supported
Local groups are reaching out through grassroots efforts to help families in need.
Linda Villanueva Quesenberry, who helps coordinate the nonprofit organization Los Osos Cares, said her group has received grants and donations.
Los Osos Cares helps with rent assistance as well as utilities, phone, food, prescriptions and automotive needs. The organization offers free community dinners and food pickups.
“People are really hurting right now,” said Queseberry, executive director for the Los Osos Cares Community Resource Center. “Especially people in service industries. They’re likely not going to come forward and ask for help because they’re scared. These are restaurant workers, housekeepers, and others out of work right now.”
Quesenberry said they get referrals from “agencies, churches, school advocates, caregivers, individuals and other services,” and work closely with food banks.
Another funding resource, UndocuSupport, is available through The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County’s Disaster Support Fund at www.cfsloco.org/fund-donation.
Disaster Support Fund grants are being distributed directly to partner agencies who are connected with vulnerable immigrant families, according to the initiative’s coordinators.
Those interested in donating should type “UndocuSupport” in response to the question “How did you find out about the Community Foundation?”
This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
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