Cindy Cordoba, assistant professor of apparel and merchandising management at Pomona, Calif.-based California State Polytechnic University Pomona has received a $398,926 state grant to co-design, produce and distribute the first 100 Heat-Shield garments for agricultural workers in Southern California. Farmworkers will participate in the design process, including fabric selection, prototypes and field trials. The garments aim
to reduce occupational health risks, as agricultural workers are significantly more likely to die from heat exposure than workers in other sectors. The grant was awarded from the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program as part of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
“According to a 2021 research study, extreme heat exposure for outdoor workers could triple by mid-century, putting $39.3 billion in annual earnings at risk,” Cordoba said. “These facts, along with what I’ve seen and learned from workers firsthand, have motivated me to pursue a solution that is both equitable and sustainable. I believe that through circular, user-centered design, we can create protective clothing that addresses the realities of climate vulnerability and uplifts those who are too often left out of the conversation.”
2025 Quarterly Issue III
