Ag Health Benefits Alliance Awards $35,000 in Scholarships

NEWS RELEASE

 

Program Provides Scholarship Support to Farmworkers & Their Families

 

Napa Valley, June 7, 2022 —Ag Health Benefits Alliance (AHBA) is proud to announce this year’s grant recipients of its scholarship program, the AHBA Educational Foundation, LLC. The Foundation has selected eight commendable applicants to receive awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000:

 

Award Winners, School, Course of Study

 

• Samantha Paniagua Diaz, Maryville University, Social Work
• Maricela Estrada, Sacramento State, Nutrition and Food
• Cruz Evelia Esquivel, Amblard Leather Atelier, Leather Working
• Daniela Mendoza, Chico State, Business, Viticulture
• Veronica Morales, Sacramento State, Communication Science
• Monce Perez, Sacramento State, Architecture
• Emanuel Rodriguez, Sonoma State, Sociology
• Maria Ramirez Romero, Napa Valley College, Education

 

“It is a pleasure to be able to help these well-deserving recipients pursue their educational goals,” says Executive Director Rebecca Barlow. “It is especially exciting to follow the progress of prior-year grant recipients, including three (Daniela, Samantha and Veronica) who are receiving awards for the second consecutive year.”

 

Now in its third year, the program offers scholarship grant opportunities for AHBA Member Employers’ eligible employee plan participants, their spouses, and children or grandchildren. “Unlike most programs targeting college-age students, the program was also designed to help adults enhance job skills and/or learn a new trade. We are encouraged to see more interest in these areas,” says Board member and program supporter, Michael Wolf.

 

About Ag Health Benefits Alliance: Now celebrating its 50th year, Ag Health Benefits Alliance (AHBA) has been providing affordable health insurance and other benefits to agricultural employees in Northern California since its founding as the California Winegrower Foundation in 1972. Started by a group of forward-thinking winegrape growers who shared a common goal of improving working conditions, AHBA is a non-profit member organization that supports both employers and employees. AHBA’s members were dedicated to providing health benefits for employees, including seasonal workers, long before required by law. Today, AHBA provides those benefits to more than 1,500 agricultural employees.