National Farmworker Jobs Program
A statewide program providing employment, educational, and training opportunities to farm workers who seek full time, year round employment.
You may be able to get help to build a solid future for yourself
It all begins with the right job. Black Hills Special Services Cooperative helps seasonal farm and ranch workers find permanent, full-time work. We offer job counseling classes, job search assistance, and other services. You may even qualify for things like transportation, living expenses, and emergency expenses.
How do I know if I am eligible?
It is best to visit with someone from Black Hills Special Services.
Call the individual nearest you:
Lois Telford: 1-800-224-5336 Ext. 213 serving Pierre and central SD
Gloria Miller: 1-800-224-5336 Ext. 231 serving Pierre and Rapid City
Jesus Ramirez: 1-800-726-9026 serving Sioux Falls & southeastern SD
Shelly Disbrow:
1-800-726-9026 serving northeastern SD
(Se habla Español.)
To qualify for services, you must:
- Be at or below poverty income guidelines. This begins at $11,490 in yearly income for someone who is single, or $28,611 for a family of five.
- Comply with Selective Service registration (the military draft).
- Be a seasonal or migrant farm or ranch worker. That means having earned wages on a farm or ranch in any 12 consecutive months in the past two years and having earned at least half your income in that type of work, or having spent at least half your time in farm or ranch work.
What about citizenship?
You may be eligible for services even if your citizenship is with another country. However, services are provided only to those who have legal status.
What about my family members?
If you qualify for help, so do your dependent family members.
Exactly what kind of job training might I find?
- On-The-Job-Training (OJT) - a program where you learn a job at a worksite. Up to half of your wages are paid by the program as you learn the job. This makes it easier for the employer to give you a chance.
- English as a Second Language - either in an in-house setting such as BHSSC Career Learning Center/One-Stop Career Center in Rapid City, or under contract with a community college, private training school, or private ESL service provider.
- Literacy/Adult Basic Education (ABE) - This curriculum allows participants to improve their literacy levels, and/or other basic skills levels so that they are better prepared for additional education or training.
- General Education Developmnet (GED) - This curriculum allows participants to prepare for and take the GED examination. In some instances, due to age, it is also possible for the participant to complete an actual high school diploma.
- Customized Skills Training - Training can be in any number of different areas which will lead to unsubsidized employment needs as determined by the State Department of Labor and the Local Workforce Development Board.
- Vocational Training - usually under contract with a community college or private training school. Training can be offered in any vocational area that offers reasonable opportunities for future employment.