What the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program covers

The Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Program is a federal employment service run by state workforce agencies that connects farmworkers with job opportunities and support services. It does not provide cash payments or direct financial aid. Instead, it offers job placement, training referrals, housing information, and connections to other information programs that farmworkers may need.

The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor and delivered through state workforce development offices. Each state runs its own MSFW program, so the specific services and how to reach them vary by location. The program exists because farmworkers often move between states and employers, making it harder for them to find stable work or learn about services they may have access to for.

Services typically include help finding agricultural jobs, information about worker rights and labor laws, referrals to housing programs, connections to health services, and guidance on other information programs. Some state programs also offer training in English as a second language or help with credential recognition if you worked in agriculture in another country.

Key Takeaways

  • The MSFW Program connects farmworkers with jobs and refers them to housing, health, and other information programs, but does not provide direct financial aid itself.
  • Each state runs its own program through its workforce development office, so services and contact methods differ by location.
  • The program serves workers in seasonal agriculture and those who migrate between states or regions for farm work.
  • You can reach your state's MSFW program through your local workforce development office or by calling 211 for a referral.

Who the program serves

The MSFW Program serves people who work in agriculture on a seasonal or migrant basis. Seasonal farmworkers work in agriculture during certain times of the year in the same general area. Migrant farmworkers travel to different locations to find agricultural work, often crossing state lines. Some workers do both — they migrate during peak seasons and stay in one place during slower months.

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to use the program. Farmworkers with work authorization, including those on H-2A visas (temporary agricultural worker visas), can access MSFW services. The program also serves workers who are undocumented, though some services may have different rules depending on your immigration status.

The program is open to workers in all types of agricultural work: crop harvesting, dairy operations, livestock handling, nursery work, and other farm-based employment. It also serves workers in closely related industries like food processing that depends on seasonal labor.

How to find your state's MSFW program

The fastest way to reach the MSFW Program in your state is through your local workforce development office, often called a One-Stop Career Center or American Job Center. You can find the nearest office by visiting CareerOneStop.org and entering your zip code, or by calling 211 and asking for the local workforce development office.

When you contact the office, ask specifically for the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program or the MSFW coordinator. Not all staff at the office may be familiar with the program, so naming it directly helps. If the person who answers does not know about it, ask to be transferred to someone who handles farmworker services.

Some states also have community organizations that work alongside the MSFW Program to reach farmworkers. If you have trouble finding the program through the workforce office, calling 211 again and asking for farmworker services in your area may connect you to one of these organizations, which can then refer you to the official program.

Job placement and training referrals

The MSFW Program maintains a list of current agricultural job openings in your state and can refer you to employers who are actively hiring. Staff can help you understand what each job involves, where it is located, what it pays, and what housing or transportation the employer provides. They can also tell you about the employer's history with the program and what other workers have reported about working there.

If you want to move into a different type of work or improve your skills, the program can refer you to training programs. These may include vocational training, English language classes, or programs that help you move from seasonal work into year-round employment. Some referrals are to programs you pay for, and some are to free or low-cost training funded by workforce development dollars.

The program can also help you understand your rights as a worker, including minimum wage, overtime rules, housing standards, and protections against wage theft. Staff can explain these rights in Spanish or other languages and can tell you how to report violations if they occur.

Housing and other services

Many MSFW programs maintain information about farmworker housing — both housing provided by employers and independent rental housing in agricultural areas. Staff can tell you what housing is available, what it costs, and what condition it is in. They can also connect you to housing information programs if you need help paying rent or if the housing you are offered does not meet legal standards.

The program also refers workers to health services, including migrant health centers that specialize in serving farmworkers. These centers often have extended hours, accept workers without insurance, and provide services in multiple languages. The MSFW Program can tell you where the nearest migrant health center is and how to reach it.

Additional referrals may include child care information, food programs, emergency financial aid, and help with transportation. Because farmworkers often move between states, the program can also help you understand what services are available in the next state where you plan to work.

How services differ by state

The MSFW Program operates in all 50 states, but the specific services, funding levels, and how quickly staff can respond vary significantly. Some states have dedicated MSFW staff at every workforce office; others have one coordinator who covers the entire state. Some states fund additional services like transportation information or emergency housing; others refer you to separate programs for those needs.

States with large agricultural sectors — like California, Florida, Texas, and Washington — typically have more robust MSFW programs with more staff and more job listings. States with smaller agricultural workforces may have fewer resources and longer wait times. If you are planning to move to a new state for work, asking the MSFW coordinator in your current state what services are available in your destination state can help you prepare.

Funding for the MSFW Program also changes year to year based on federal appropriations. If you contact your state program and find services are limited, asking when funding may increase or whether services will expand can help you plan.

What to bring when you contact the program

When you reach out to the MSFW Program, have the following information ready: your name, phone number, and current address (or the address where you will be staying if you are between locations). You should also be ready to describe the type of agricultural work you do or want to do, where you have worked before, and what region or state you are looking to work in next.

If you are looking for a specific job, bring any details you know about it — the employer's name, the location, the type of work, or when the job starts. If you are looking for training or other services, be ready to describe what you need and what your goals are.

You do not need documents to contact the program or to receive job referrals. However, if you are referred to a job, the employer will ask for proof of work authorization. If you have questions about what documents you need or what your options are, the MSFW Program staff can discuss this with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the MSFW Program if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. The program serves workers regardless of citizenship status, including undocumented workers. If you are referred to a job, the employer will ask for proof of work authorization, but the MSFW Program itself does not check immigration status. Staff can discuss your options and what documents different employers accept.

Does the MSFW Program pay for training or education?

The program refers you to training programs, but does not pay for them directly. Some training is free through workforce development funding, and some requires payment. When staff refer you to a program, they will tell you whether it is free or what it costs.

What if I speak a language other than English?

MSFW Program staff are trained to work with workers who speak Spanish and other languages. Services are available in Spanish at most offices. If you speak a language other than Spanish or English, ask whether an interpreter is available or whether services can be provided in your language.

Can the MSFW Program help me if I have been cheated out of wages?

The MSFW Program can refer you to agencies that investigate wage theft and help you recover unpaid wages. These agencies include your state's Department of Labor and federal Wage and Hour Division. The MSFW Program can also connect you to legal aid organizations that help farmworkers with wage disputes.

How do I know if a job referral is legitimate?

The MSFW Program maintains information about employers and their history with the program. Staff can tell you whether an employer has had complaints, what workers have reported about pay and conditions, and what the job actually involves. You can also ask to speak with other workers who have done the job before you accept the referral.