Farmers, livestock workers can pre-register for Hawaiʻi Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program

Eligible farm and livestock workers in Hawaiʻi can pre-register for in-person payment registration events Sept. 6 to 9 for a one-time $600 relief payment under the Hawaiʻi Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program. The grant aims to offset expenses workers incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

Farmers and those who worked in the agriculture industry doing farm work for at least one hour between Jan. 27, 2020, and May 11, 2023, may be eligible.

The grant program is funded by the US Department of Agriculture and administered by the National Mirgrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA).

In partnership with local stakeholders, NMSHSA will administer four in-person payment registration events on Maui and Molokaʻi.To ensure a smooth and efficient in-person payment registration process, workers are asked to pre-register for 1 of the 4 in-person events. The exact address and time for each location will be shared upon completion of the pre-registration form. 

• Kahului
  • Date: Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 
  • 09.06.24 USDA FFWR Kahului Pre-Registration Form
• Kahului
  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 
  • 09.07.24 USDA FFWR Kahului Pre-Registration Form
• Kula
  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 
  • 09.08.24 USDA FFWR Kula Pre-Registration Form
• Molokaʻi
  • Date: Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 
  • 09.09.24 USDA FFWR Ho’olehua Pre-Registration Form

Eligible field workers are farmers and employees engaged in planting, tending and harvesting crops, and post-harvest activities including operation of farm machinery on crop farms. Eligible livestock workers are employees tending livestock, milking cows or caring for poultry including operation of farm machinery on livestock or poultry operations.

Those applying must have the ability to provide proof of identification (US citizenship is not required) and proof of employment.This program is made possible through a partnership with multiple local organizations including Executive Office on Early Learning, Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance, Molokaʻi Homestead Farmers Alliance, County of Maui Department of Agriculture, and College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. 

For more information about the USDA FFWR program, contact the program administrators at info@nmshsa.org or check the Frequently Asked Questions.