Monterey County Agriculture Sector Achieves 25% Vaccination Rate

In the last 3 weeks, the Agricultural sector of Monterey County has achieved a 25% vaccination rate of the expected population of farmworkers employed in the Salinas Valley for this spring season. This remarkable level of vaccination comes after weeks of pressing for supplies of vaccines from the State’s supply, prioritizing the essential workers in the farm and ranch operations that are critical to maintaining our food supply chain to retail and restaurant outlets. Many more farmworkers who are work in Monterey County have been vaccinated in Santa Cruz County at clinics held in recent weeks. Efforts will continue in the coming weeks with additional clinics to vaccinate more farmworkers in Monterey County, including temporary workers arriving for harvest crews. Acknowledging that the farmworker community of Monterey County has been hit hard by COVID-19 infections and exposures, local, state, and federal elected officials and community leaders came together and advocated for the vaccination prioritization of farmworkers in our community. Through large-scale vaccination clinics held at the Salinas Sports Complex, along with smaller vaccination clinics at local hospitals and clinics, the number of farmworkers coming with their sleeves rolled up has been substantial, supported by their employers who provided the registration lists. This vaccination process has been a cooperative effort of Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, Monterey County Farm Bureau, Coastal Growers Association, Monterey County Cannabis Industry Association, and California Strawberry Commission. This collaborative effort demonstrates the commitment by the Agricultural sector to keep our farmworkers and their families protected and healthy as the pandemic persists in our environment. Grower-Shipper Association of Central California is a regional trade association with a mission to advance families, food and farming in our region. Founded in 1930, today the organization represents members which consist primarily of farmers, shippers, harvesters and processors of fruits and vegetables produced in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association brings together the talents and resources of members, partners and our community in order to promote and support our leadership in the art, the science and the business of wine. By standing together, we strengthen the message of our renown and continue to bring brand awareness to the region. Monterey County Farm Bureau, founded in 1917, represents family farmers and ranchers in the interest of promoting and protecting agriculture throughout Monterey County, CA. We strive to improve the ability of those engaged in production agriculture to provide a reliable source of food and fiber through reasonable stewardship of our local resources. Coastal Growers Association and Monterey County Cannabis Industry Association are trade organizations representing cultivators, transporters, manufacturers, nurseries, testing labs, distributors, dispensaries and researchers in the Central Coast Regions of California. California Strawberry Commission is a state-chartered agency of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Established by the California State Legislature in 1993, the Commission represents nearly 600 strawberry shippers, processors and growers within the state of California.