In the Central Valley, rural communities have long been the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy, yet they remain some of the most underserved and overlooked populations. Rural Communities Rising (RCR), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working to change that by ensuring that the transition to clean energy benefits the people who have historically been left out of critical decision-making processes.
With more than 200,000 acres of agricultural land expected to be converted into solar, battery storage and green hydrogen projects in Fresno County, the RCR is dedicated to ensuring these shifts create opportunities rather than displacements for rural families, particularly farmworkers.
The RCR is focused on advocating for community-led solutions to the rapid changes occurring in the economic landscape of the 36 rural communities in west Fresno County.
The organization recognizes that large-scale clean energy projects will reorient the economy, infrastructure and labor market, and it seeks to ensure that local residents are not sidelined in the process.
The RCR is pushing for enforceable community benefits agreements (CBAs) that would legally require clean energy developers to invest in local infrastructure, workforce training and public services. These agreements would ensure that new industries provide material benefits to residents rather than simply extracting resources, land and profits.
Such a framework has successfully happened in Los Angeles, where a coalition of labor unions and neighborhood groups negotiated a CBA tied to the $1 billion redevelopment of the Staples Center and the surrounding area. Signed in 2001, the CBA secured more than $150 million in community investments, including commitments to local hiring, a living wage for all jobs created, the construction of affordable housing, environmental cleanup and funding for parks and recreational spaces. It was the first arrangement of its kind in the country and set a precedent for community-led negotiations.
Many rural residents, particularly farmworkers, have never been given a seat at the table where policies affecting their lives are made. The RCR will provide training programs to empower community members to engage with policymakers, participate in public hearings and advocate for the needs of their community.
By pushing for sustainable development, the RCR seeks to improve health outcomes while also addressing the long-standing environmental injustices that disproportionately affect farmworker (majority Latinx) communities.
As traditional agricultural jobs shift due to automation, global trade shifts and climate change, the RCR is working to ensure that rural workers have access to retraining programs that allow them to transition into clean energy and other emerging industries. This includes partnerships with vocational schools and job placement initiatives.
The Central Valley is home to some of the hardest working but most economically vulnerable populations in the state. Many farmworkers live in towns with failing infrastructure, limited access to healthcare and desperately underfunded schools.
The rise of the clean energy sector presents both a risk and an opportunity. Without community input, these projects would likely displace workers, increase land speculation and deepen economic disparities. However, with proper planning and local leadership, they could bring well-paying jobs, improved public services and a more sustainable future.
By advocating for policies that center community well-being, the RCR is fighting so that economic transitions do not come at the expense of those who have already given their blood, sweat and countless hours of grueling labor to the region.
The organization’s work can help prevent rural communities from becoming “energy colonies” where profits flow outward while residents see little benefit—an inward-facing form of colonization. Instead, the RCR envisions a future where clean energy serves as a tool for economic empowerment rather than exploitation.
Historically, farmworkers have been left out of major policy discussions, despite their essential role in the economy. Laws and policies that shape labor conditions, land use and economic development often prioritize corporate interests over the interests and health of those who actually work the fields.
Language barriers, immigration status concerns and political disenfranchisement have contributed to this exclusion. Many farmworkers lack access to voter registration, transportation to public meetings or the legal protections needed to advocate for themselves without fear of retaliation. Even when discussions about rural economic development occur, the voices of agricultural workers are frequently absent.
The RCR is actively working to change this by building leadership among farmworker communities and ensuring that they are included in decision-making processes regarding land use, environmental protection and large-scope economic policies. By equipping local residents with advocacy skills, the organization is creating pathways for long-ignored voices to finally be heard.
Felipe Perez, Board president of the RCR and a founding member, speaks passionately about the importance of connecting, informing and giving power to farmworker communities.
The focus for the RCR at this time is getting the word out, growing in numbers and beginning to organize. It has worked on electing 17 new board members, who will be revealed in early April. The RCR is eager to connect with and serve the farmworker community. In local meetings, Perez asks, “What are things you want, or need, to stay and make your lives better?”
There are many ways to support and participate in the work of the RCR (ruralcommunitiesrising.org). Attending community meetings is a key step; the RCR regularly hosts public forums where residents can learn about upcoming clean energy projects, voice concerns and directly shape the organization’s advocacy strategies.
Volunteering is another vital form of support; the group often seeks help with outreach, translation and organizing events that keep the community informed and engaged. For those who are able, donations play a crucial role in sustaining leadership training programs, legal advocacy for farmworkers and research on the long-term effects of clean energy development in rural areas.
Even spreading awareness can have a major impact. Educating others about the importance of equitable transitions and ensuring farmworker voices are included help build wider support for systemic change.
Contacting local officials and urging them to back policies that protect rural residents from displacement ensures that community voices are heard. The shift toward clean energy should not come at the cost of rural livelihoods.
