Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services July News and Highlights

The Inaugural Michigan Latine Summit was held on Friday, June 21. The summit presented an opportunity for Latino-serving organizations to collaborate and find solutions to topics of interest to the population, including:  

• Education/mentoring
• Healthcare
• Migrant resources
• Economic stability
• Civil engagement

More than 200 leaders from across Michigan attended the summit at Grand Valley State University’s Grand Rapids campus. GVSU President Mantella shared insightful opening remarks and Gov. Whitmer addressed the leaders via video.

Ginger Vallejo, Manager of AFLS' Office Foreign Labor Services, facilitated the discussion in the Migrant Resources Session, which brought together leaders from education, workforce development, community support agencies, and religious institutions. The session focused on understanding the needs of migrants and immigrants, and identifying strategies for Michigan agencies to improve access to resources and services, aiming to enhance the overall well-being of communities across the state.

Learn more about the summit and the keynote speakers here.

This graduation season, the Agricultural and Foreign Labor Service (AFLS) team is proud to celebrate the achievements of the students from Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker background who completed their GED through the Michigan State University – High School Equivalency Program (MSU-HEP).

For many Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs) this achievement is typically challenged because of their highly transient lifestyle, limited English proficiency and limited access to education and support systems. This celebration recognizes their hard work and dedication and highlights the importance of providing educational opportunities and support for MSFWs. It serves as a reminder of this community's resilience and determination to overcome barriers to education and strive for a better future.

Agricultural Employment Liaisons work closely with MSU-HEP to refer potentially eligible candidates to the program. For more information about the program, go to https://mss.msu.edu/hep/.

Welcome Trinidad Luevano!

Trinidad (Trina) Luevano hopes to be someone farmers and farmworkers can depend on and trust. She hopes to improve opportunities for both farm workers and farmers by providing more equitable access to necessary resources to help farm workers develop their skills and education, in turn increasing their opportunities, ability to compete in the workforce, and an overall more skilled workforce.

Trina was born and raised in Michigan. She has been married for 36 years, has four children and six lovely grandchildren. Trina has worked in community services for more than 35 years, and is passionate about working and servicing people of different social and ethnic backgrounds.

“I am very honored to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this team," said Trina. "I can only hope to grow and highly succeed in this amazing job.” 

Trina’s outreach coverage area includes Oceana (southern part of Oceana County) and Mason County and assisting in other counties as needed!

 View the full list of Agricultural Employment Liaisons here.

Congratulations, Ruby!

MSFW Outreach Program Manager Ruby Berumen recently completed the Leadership Learning Lab certification to help enhance her skills as a leader. 

Ruby has been working for the State of Michigan for the past 10 years. She first joined the AFLS team as an outreach worker before accepting her current role four years ago.

"The thoughtful structure of the nine months learning lab sessions have supported me in creating significant and important shifts in my leadership practices," shared Ruby. "There is no one size fits all leadership style because there are no two individuals alike. This program helped me better understand that the leadership style a manager will use will vary depending on the situation at hand and/or the employee's needs." 

This certification has better equipped Ruby to take on challenges regarding decision-making and problem solving she faces in her role. She is confident that the knowledge and skills she obtained from the training will support leading her team to better serve Michigan's agricultural employers and workers.

"I welcome and embrace all learning opportunities as it helps me enhance my skills to evolve in my professional role as well as in my personal life," said Ruby. "however, I believe and would like to say that we don’t need an official title to demonstrate leadership to positively influence our life and the life of those around us!"

Discover seasonal jobs or temporary jobs

SeasonalJobs.dol.gov is an online platform that links people to seasonal and temporary employment opportunities throughout the United States.

Whether you’re looking for seasonal work or require a short-term job, the website assists you in finding suitable employment.

Explore Michigan's Hot 50 Job Outlook

The Michigan Hot 50 Job Outlook through 2030 highlights Michigan’s high-demand, high-wage careers that show a favorable mix of projected long-term job growth, projected annual job openings, and median wages through 2030.

Explore the publication here.

Employers, post your opportunities on Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org)

As an employer, you can create an account that’ll give you access to thousands of qualified jobs seekers in Michigan! If you have positions you are trying to fill, set up your FREE MiTalent.org account here.

Need help with creating an account on MiTalent.org, posting a job order, or assistance in locating workers using the Agricultural Recruitment System? Please contact your nearest Michigan Works! Service Center at Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks or your nearest Agricultural Employment Liaisons here.

OFLC Provides Materials on the 2024 Farmworker Protection Final Rule Webinar

On June 6, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), Wage and Hour Division, and the Office of Workforce Investment hosted a webinar to provide information on the changes to the H-2A and Wagner-Peyser Employment Service programs made by the 2024 Farmworker Protection Final Rule. 

• View the slides of the Farmworker Protection Final Rule
• View the webinar recording of the Farmworker Protection Rule

The presentation materials are also available under the “Webinars” tab at the bottom of the H-2A Program page.

Employer visits vs. field checks

The H-2A program is designed to allow U.S. employers to bring foreign workers to the U.S. for temporary or seasonal agricultural work. The recently announced Farmworker Protection Rule strengthens protections for these workers. Let’s break down some of the SWAs responsibilities in conducting employer visits vs field checks.

• Employer Visit
• This refers to a representative (includes OFLS) visiting the worksite where H-2A workers are employed. It’s essential to ensure compliance with program requirements, such as proper working conditions, housing, and other obligations.
• The new rule emphasizes protections for workers, including their right to designate a representative and protection from retaliation.
• Field Check
• When the State Workforce Agency (SWA) has made placements on at least one job order (but no more than nine) during a quarter, they must conduct field checks on 100% of those orders.
• Field checks are conducted by the SWA to verify compliance with H-2A program requirements.
• These checks involve visiting the worksite while workers are present to ensure adherence to regulations.

Starting July 1, OFLS will be working with employers and employer representatives to ensure that we adhere to the new regulations efficiently. We appreciate your collaboration and support. Please stay tuned for further communication.

SMA Gerardo Aranda recently hosted the June Inter-Agency Migrant Services Committee (IMSC) monthly meeting at the Paw Paw Michigan Works! Service Center. Aranda discussed with IMSC members the Judge Richey Court Order of 1974 that shaped the Monitor Advocate System and created the outreach worker program, as well as the Equity Ratio and Minimum Service Level Indicators of Compliance.

The court order settlement also ensures support services, like those offered through Michigan Works!, and farmworker protection information are offered to MSFWs.

The settlement points were codified in various sections of the Code of Federal Regulations. Aranda shared historical information with Committee members, and how he’s involved in the four key components of the system:

• Conducting outreach to MSFWs at their working, living and gathering places
• Monitoring services provided to MSFWs at American Job Centers (Michigan Works!)
• Facilitating the Employment Service and Employment-Related Law Complaint System, which helps resolve labor-related complaints
• Promoting the Agricultural Recruitment System for U.S. workers, which connects job seekers who need employment to employers who need workers.

Aranda was also invited to make opening remarks at the annual IMSC Outreach and Education Subcommittee Outreach Worker training, where he spoke about the history of various MSFW events that have taken place throughout the state. 

He discussed the importance of continuous events such as AFLS' Annual Farmworker Welcome (Bienvenidos) Event, the Southwest Michigan Migrant Resource Council Christmas Event, Farmworker Appreciation Day in Sparta, and other events throughout the state. He also discussed and the importance of door-to-door outreach efforts by all agency outreach workers to reach farmworkers where they live, gather and work.

Prior to joining AFLS, Aranda worked as a MSFW outreach worker in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties. He has been the SMA for nearly 12 years.