Manuel Cunha, Jr. grew up in Vacaville, CA on a family dairy farm. He attended Sierra
Junior College from 1968 to 1970. He then attended California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo from 1970 to 1973 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Crop
Science/Agronomy, received his teaching credential in 1974 and completed his Masters Degree
in 1976. He was an educator for thirteen years teaching at Sierra High School, Cal Poly State
University and Reedley Community College. Cunha started with the Nisei Farmers League
(League) in 1987. He ran the League’s Immigration & Legalization office after Immigration
Reform and Control Act was signed into law by President Reagan on November 6, 1986. The
law was enacted from 1987 to 1990. The League was the only non-governmental office
authorized by the United Immigration and Naturalization Service to issue green cards during
that time. He became President of the Nisei Farmers League in 1996 and has served in that
capacity ever since.

Nisei Farmers League is an agricultural organization that specializes in labor,
immigration, housing, transportation and environmental issues. The League assists growers
with employee safety, migrant housing, water and air quality, and coordinates greater
understanding of the policies and legislation of various state and federal agencies. The
League’s motto is “Growers Looking Out for Growers and Farmworkers, their Families and
their Communities.”

Cunha was elected Chairman of the Insure America Project (IAP) in August, 2015 and
continues to serve as the Chairman today. The IAP is a non-profit organization formed for the
purpose of assisting undocumented residents and their families through the promotion of
legalization services. Specifically, IAP is assisting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) with legalization, naturalization and citizenship. IAP works in partnership with junior
colleges, state universities, high schools and businesses in the San Joaquin Valley.
Cunha has served on many boards including the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco,
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Study Agency for California Air Resource
Board and Environmental Protection Agency Research Team, Community Regional Medical
Center Board of Directors, USDA-Air Quality Task Force, National Council of Ag Employers,
works with the San Joaquin Valley Small City Mayors, and Jose Ramirez JCR Boxing Team
Advisory from 2012 to present.

Cunha has received many awards and recognitions over the years including 2001 Fresno
County Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award, 1998, 2000, 2002 USDA Air Quality Task
Force Certificate of Recognition, 2016 Fresno Chamber of Commerce Agriculturist of the Year,
2018 Fresno County Office of Education Award for Lifetime Contributions in Agricultural
Education, 2018 Consul General of Japan Foreign Minister’s Commendation.