Most H-2A workers are recruited from rural areas with extremely low wages, often averaging less than $200 per month.  As a result, many survive from payday to payday and operate exclusively in the cash economy, with banking services not worth the bother.  In these circumstances, saving for the future and long-term financial planning are extremely difficult.

The H-2A program represents an enormous financial opportunity for these workers.  Through this program, an individual working in the Pacific Northwest can be expected to earn over $3,400 per month for a standard 40-hour workweek.  For individuals on a typical 6-month contract, this adds up to $20,400 — a salary that is higher than the annual income of many doctors in Mexico.  Moreover, because H-2A workers receive free housing while in the U.S. and are reimbursed for their transportation to and from their hometowns, the value of their earnings is greatly enhanced.

While the wages earned through the H-2A program have the potential to create lasting financial stability for workers and their families, all too often this has not been the case. Understandably, for individuals who have never opened a bank account, created a budget, or saved for the future, making savvy financial decisions can be challenging.  As a result, many of these workers spend their entire earnings over the year and return to the U.S. the following season having set nothing aside. 

This is where Field to Future aims to make a difference. Through interactive, in-person classes, coupled with both digital and physical educational materials, we teach participants the basic principles of personal money management and familiarize them with their U.S. tax obligations. Most importantly, we work to open workers’ eyes to the possibility of using their H-2A earnings to build lasting financial security for themselves, their families, and their home communities.