Meet 2025 Farmworker of the Year finalist Rafael Teran Melchor

On May 30 at this year’s West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Desert, Calif., The Packer and the Equitable Food Initiative will present the second annual Grow the Good Farmworker of the Year award. To recognize the critical role farmworkers have in the fresh produce industry, The Packer is spotlighting each of this year’s five finalists, who were selected from nominations submitted in February.

Rafael “Rafa” Teran Melchor has worked in agriculture for 23 years and has been with Stemilt Growers for 16.5 years as a sanitation worker. Today he oversees chemical preparation for sanitation and completing digital sanitation record-keeping. He was nominated for the award by his supervisor, Adrián Pantaleón Sandoval, who described him as being curious, always interested in learning, always ready to help his teammates and known to go above and beyond in his work.

“He’s always the person we know is going to be doing a great job the safest way possible,” Sandoval said.

He also emphasized Melchor’s interest in learning new things and accepting change with optimism. As an example, Sandoval explained most members of the sanitation team at the facility where Melchor works know how to complete one to five of the 25 total main work areas. Melchor learned all 25 plus special work areas and seasonal projects. Another example was the sanitation team’s recent shift from paper records to digital.

“Rafa, even though he had never used a computer much before and with limited English reading and writing skills, took the challenge with no hesitation,” Sandoval said. “Currently, he uses our digital record keeping without trouble, he has even trained others in this.”

Melchor also engages with his team outside of work through soccer and he loves sports. He is very enthusiastic for track and field, road running, cross country running and marathons, even reaching the qualifications needed for the 2025 Boston Marathon.

“Rafael is an outstanding individual and a perfect choice for the EFI Farmworker of the Year,” Sandoval said.