farmworkers | CalMatters

A housekeeper cleans a room at the Colonial Motel in Santa Maria on July 15, 2020. The motel is one of the locations where Alco Harvesting houses H-2A farmworkers. Photo by Len Wood, Santa Maria Times

Strawberry-producing Santa Barbara County announces new COVID-19 protections for temporary ag workers

by Jackie Botts September 17, 2020September 18, 2020

Santa Barbara County adopts new rules aimed at preventing COVID-19 outbreaks among H-2A farmworkers. The move comes amid reports of outbreaks, including a monthlong investigation by CalMatters and The Salinas Californian that uncovered outbreaks that sickened more than 350.

California farmworkers say they didn’t get masks during wildfires

by Manuela Tobias September 13, 2020September 11, 2020

CalMatters investigation, COVID cases spur bill requiring employers disclose workplace outbreaks

by Kate Cimini September 12, 2020September 14, 2020

A sign encouraging vineyard workers to practice social distancing is posted among the grapevines on May 6, 2020 in Oakville. Napa County does not collect data on workplace coronavirus outbreaks. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for

Why won’t counties report workplace COVID outbreaks to the public?

by Jackie Botts, Laurence Du Sault and Manuela Tobias August 28, 2020September 3, 2020

Farmworkers go through fields along Pine Canyon Road as the hillsides behind them burn steadily through the afternoon on Aug. 19, 2020. Photo by Ayrton Ostly/The Californian

Smoke, ash from River Fire raises questions about produce, farmworker safety

by Kate Cimini August 27, 2020September 2, 2020

Investigation: COVID rips through motel rooms of guest workers who pick nation’s produce

by Jackie Botts and Kate Cimini August 17, 2020September 4, 2020

ports and exports

Protection of the California agriculture-port relationship should be a top priority

by Guest Commentary August 8, 2020August 6, 2020

Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager, left, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, right, join other members of the California Legislature as they kneel for 8 minutes and 46 second to honor George Floyd at the Capitol on June 9, 2020. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP/Pool

Will CA amend its constitution post-protests?

by Emily Hoeven June 22, 2020June 27, 2020

digital divide

In information age, many Californians struggle to stay informed

by Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado May 29, 2020June 2, 2020

Farmworkers struggle with high cost of housing

by Kate Cimini February 24, 2020April 20, 2020