Thanks to the team’s efforts – Agricultural Employment Liaison (AEL) Jesus Lule in particular – Samuel Bernabe, who spent his entire life working in agriculture, found a full-time year-round job with an irrigation company, serving the same growers he had worked for in the past. Samuel is thrilled about his new job and is grateful to the team for their commitment to serving MSFWs.

AEL Jesus Lule has also placed five MSFWs in long-term employment at a solar panel company in southwest Michigan and two MSFWs as recruiters with the Van Buren Intermediate School District – Migrant Education Program.

On May 20, 2023, Michigan State University (MSU) hosted its  2022-2023 GED graduation ceremony. A total of 32 participants were awarded GED certificates by MSU-HEP. Among the graduates were MSFWs Andy Olivares, Socorro Reyes, and spouses Andres and Rosalia Paz Bautista.

Initially, Andres began the program while his wife cheered him on. As he continued his education, however, Rosalia was also encouraged to pursue her own studies. Despite starting later, she was able to catch up and successfully pass her final exam just before the ceremony.

The couple were elated to celebrate their accomplishments and receive their GEDs on the same day. They hope to inspire their two children by their hard work and achievements, and to never give up on their own dreams.

The enrollment of these MSFWs into the MSU-HEP program was made possible by the efforts and referrals of AEL Jesus Lule.

Las Posadas

Posadas are a festive Mexican tradition observed in the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve. The term "posada" means "inn" in Spanish, and these celebrations reenact the journey of Mary and Joseph as they sought a place to stay in Bethlehem.

Beyond their religious significance, posadas also serve as a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate the holiday season.

At the 2023 Posada in Grant, AFLS staff Martha Cerda and Julia Briones were present to offer employment services and information. The event, organized by the Sparta Migrant Resource Council, provided new coats to all participants. Attendees enjoyed the posada and expressed their gratitude for the services and warm coats provided.

Effective December 10, 2023, we are excited to announce the new assignments for our team members at the Michigan Works! Service Centers in Paw Paw and Benton Harbor.

Jesus Lule will now be based at the Michigan Works! Service Center in Paw Paw, located at 32849 Red Arrow Hwy Suite 100, Paw Paw, MI 49079.

Previously, Jesus was covering the Berrien County area and providing assistance in other counties as needed. With his extensive knowledge of the region, Jesus is well-prepared to serve the community in his new role.

Additionally, Sandy Jimenez has been assigned to the Benton Harbor Michigan Works! Service Center, located at 499 W Main St, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Sandy, who previously covered Van Buren County and assisted in other counties as needed, brings valuable experience to her new position. Her familiarity with the area will greatly benefit the individuals she serves.

Both Jesus and Sandy have a proven track record of delivering exceptional employment services to MSFWs. They are dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping individuals find meaningful employment opportunities.

We warmly welcome Jesus and Sandy to their new offices and are confident that they will continue to excel in their roles.

Find the contact information for all Agricultural Employment Liaisons here.

The 2023 Great Lakes Expo in Grand Rapids was a bustling hub of activity where attendees got valuable insights into the employment services provided by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. AFLS staff shared information about the various opportunities available to both employers and employees with attendees. 

During the expo, the AFLS team had the chance to connect with growers and extended an invitation to the upcoming Growers Meeting in spring 2024. This meeting promises to be a significant event for growers, creating a platform for networking and sharing knowledge.

Moreover, the team conducted an engaging workshop on "Improving Customer and Employee Experience at the Farm Through Cultural Competence." This workshop aimed to enhance the understanding of cultural diversity and its impact on the farm environment. Attendees gained valuable insights on promoting inclusivity and improving interactions with both customers and employees.

The Expo drew growers not only from Michigan but also from surrounding states and Canada, making it a truly international gathering. This diverse attendance added richness and depth to discussions, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and experiences.

The 2023 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo held in Grand Rapids was an excellent opportunity for the Office of Foreign Labor Services (OFLS) team members Mercedes Chaves, Maribel Valle and Ginger Vallejo to network with employers, agents and external partners, as well as attend educational sessions. The OFLS team received high praise from partner and employers for their work ensuring timely reviews, great customer service, and implementing methods to ensure a streamlined process.

Over the course of three days, the Great Lakes Trade Expo offered a comprehensive program that included sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, other specialty crops, greenhouse crop production and marketing, farm marketing ideas and operations, farmers’ markets, and organic production and marketing. The event also featured sessions covering a variety of general interest topics, such as food safety and labor.

In attendance were farmers, ranchers, industry professionals, and anyone with a passion for agriculture. With its diverse range of exhibits, educational sessions and networking opportunities, the Great Lakes Expo has been recognized as the Expo for Everything AG.

The Labor 1-Ag Labor Policy session provided insight into the struggles Michigan farmers are facing with the rising costs of the H2-A program and the 2024 increase of Adverse Effect Wage Rate to $18.50. The concerns lead to worries about Michigan’s food system sustainability and the impact of fresh produce trades.

The AFLS team also had an opportunity to present on “How to Improve Customer and Employee Experience” at the Farming Through Cultural Competence Session. The session featured OFLS Manager Ginger Vallejo and Agriculture Employment Liaison Kevin Benson, who shared their insights from working in the farm industry to promote cultural diversity in a rapidly changing agriculture workforce.

Session attendees also learned about appreciating cultural diversity in the Ag Industry, as well as how to create welcoming spaces for both customers and employees. The session also included a presentation from Naim Edwards and Stathis Pauls of the MSU-Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation and Eastern Market in Detroit.

Finally, attendees got to hear about farm experience from George McManus of Piggott's Farm Market & Bakery. George talked about his passion for caring for his land and the secrets to keeping his workforce loyal, some for more than 45 years!

Michigan has thousands of jobs throughout the state in a variety of industries, including many full-time jobs with benefits in the Food and Agricultural Industry, as well as in the Agri-business sector.

We encourage you to visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org) and search for your next full-time job today!

View a list of agriculture-related jobs here.

Michigan’s SMA, Gerardo Aranda, was recently invited to present during a national virtual convening on the many MSFW outreach successes with partner agencies. Michigan and the State of Washington were invited as both states have engaged various MSFW partners when conducting outreach.

Joint MSFW outreach has proven to serve larger numbers of MSFWs with services such as employment, training, education, legal, health, safety and farmworker rights.

Gerardo highlighted the array of Workforce Development services available for MSFWs during his presentation and outlined how bringing stakeholders together provides qualitatively and quantitatively, proportionate services to MSFWs where live, gather and work.

He also recognized the Inter-Agency Migrant Services Committee and the nine Migrant Resource Councils for their activeness efforts serving MSFWs at the state and local levels. The presentation was well received with several states requesting information on how they could engage MSFW stakeholders.

Recently, Michigan has achieved an impressive gain ranking among the top ten in the nation and number one in Region V, which includes ten Midwest states.

This achievement is a true testament to the collaboration and work accomplished through our partnerships ensuring the provision of employment services to MSFWs. I would also like to acknowledge SMA Gerardo Aranda for his continued guidance and technical assistance, as well as Rubi Berumen and Hugo Pantoja, MSFW Program Managers for their tireless dedication.”

It’s also important to acknowledge and extend our gratitude to Mike Wurmlinger, Workforce Development Deputy Director, and Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of Employment & Training, for their commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, as well as their unwavering support in providing workforce development services to the MSFW population and agricultural employers.

– Hector Arroyo Jr., Targeted Services Division Administrator (pictured above)

We are excited to announce the AFLS team will be present at the expo, ready to connect with everyone and provide valuable information about the services available to growers and MSFWs.

If you are interested in learning more about how our team can assist you in your agricultural endeavors, we invite you to stop by booth 133. Our dedicated team will be on hand to answer any questions and provide you with insights into the various services we offer.

Whether you are a grower looking for a workforce or a farm worker seeking support and resources, we are here to assist you. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with our team and discover how AFLS can enhance your agricultural experience.

Learn more about the Great Lakes Trade Expo 2024 here.