Farmworker Jobs Program

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity’s National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), an educational, employment and training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, is accepting applications across Hawaii, including Molokai.

NFJP is 100 percent federally funded and serves farmworkers who meet federal poverty income guidelines and selection criteria. Those who receive federal assistance, such as SNAP, TANF or SSI, are categorically eligible.

Other eligibility criteria include being a paid farmworker for at least 30 consecutive days within the two years prior to the application date. Family members of the farmworker may be eligible for services as well. NFJP also can assist farm employees, who recently have been laid off due to the end of harvest season or are part of a separation package for laid off employees.

The program serves youths ages 16 to 24 with educational and employment goals and offers tuition and supportive services, including books, tools and clothing.

NFJP also can assist farm owners by providing support and training for farm employees. If there are higher level positions available within the farm, NFJP can provide on-the-job training and pay 50 percent of the employee’s salary for up to three months. This benefits both the employer and the employee, increasing the skill set of the employee, which then translates into expanded capacity for the employer.

MEO is the sole grantee of the NFJP program for the entire state of Hawaii and has been servicing participants and farms on all islands for more than 20 years.

For more information about the NFJP program and eligibility requirements, please the contact MEO NFJP team at (808) 249-2970 or (808) 344-5550. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.