Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant

This grant program focuses on the workplace health and safety of workers who are affected by climate impacts like extreme heat and cold, wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding. The grants for the 2025-2027 biennium will focus primarily on the health and safety of agricultural workers. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines agricultural workers as those who maintain crops and tend livestock. These workers also perform physical labor and operate machinery under the supervision of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers. Their duties include: 

• Planting, inspecting, and harvesting crops. 
• Irrigating farm soil and maintaining ditches, pipes, and pumps. 
• Operating and servicing farm machinery and tools. 
• Applying fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungi, and weeds. 
• Moving plants, shrubs, and trees with wheelbarrows or tractors. 
• Feeding livestock.
• Cleaning and disinfecting livestock cages, pens, and yards. 
• Examining animals to detect symptoms of illnesses or injuries.
• Administering vaccines to protect animals from diseases. 
• Using brands, tags, or tattoos to mark livestock ownership and grade. 
• Herding livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.

Examples of agricultural workers include:

• Farmworkers.
• Nursery and greenhouse workers.
• Farm and ranch animal farmworkers.
• Agricultural equipment operators.

Community-based and led organizations are uniquely positioned to identify, engage with, and respond to the needs of the agricultural workers they serve. They are invaluable partners in navigating the specific cultural and linguistic contexts, logistical and access barriers, and environmental justice concerns of their communities. We invite eligible organizations to apply for one of the following:

1. Pass-through funding ($500,000 - $750,000): DOH invites community-based organizations to sub-grant funds to other community-based organizations to support the health and safety of agricultural workers across Washington state. We are expecting to award 2 to 3 passthrough grants.
2. Project funding ($50,000 - $150,000): An organization may apply on its own or in partnership with other organization(s) for funds to address the health and safety of agricultural workers. DOH expects to award between 5-15 project grants. 

Schedule 

This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the DOH. All required documents must be submitted by the dates and times specified below.

Expected Period of Performance: January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Application Process

Application materials can be found below (pages 8-16). Applicants should download the file, complete all required forms, and return them via email by September 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. All application materials are emailed to the Environmental Justice Grants Program. Please reach out if you require any assistance accessing the application. 

• Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Application (Word)
• Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Application (PDF)
• Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Application – Spanish (Word)
• Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Application – Spanish (PDF) 

Organizations can request application materials and apply in a language other than English if desired. Information sessions will be held in English, Spanish, and other languages at your request. If you have a specific accommodation need and would like to request a formal interview to supplement your application, please contact us. 

More Information About this Funding Program

The Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.