Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez has worked as a farmworker in the Central Valley for over 35 years, ever since he immigrated from his native village of Iramuco, Guanajuato, Mexico.  Jose remembers fishing throughout his childhood to help provide food for the rest of his nine siblings. Jose has vivid memories of working along with his father in the early morning hours, hoping that the next batch of fish would be enough to feed the whole family.  According to Jose, “fishing is an art just like vineyards; you need to have a lot of dedication to make sure you get the perfect yield.”  Jose’s hard work is well known among his colleagues and family, where they admire his hard work ethic and aspiration for perfection. The same passion that Jose has for fishing and vineyards could also be seen in his quest to help others, especially his fellow farmworkers.  Jose hopes that his role in the California Farmworker Foundation can help change farmworkers’ lives in California, especially in the education sector. Jose is a firm believer in supporting higher education for children of farmworkers because he has seen firsthand the importance of obtaining a college degree.  Jose is always proud to acknowledge that all four of his children received a college degree. Jose believes that his most significant accomplishment in life has been giving his children an education to provide a better future for the next generation. Currently, Jose resides with his wife Rebecca in Richgrove, California, where he has lived ever since he immigrated to California.