Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services November News and Highlights

Highlights from the AFLS Postseason Conference

The 2024 Postseason Conference took place on October 7-9, allowing the team to reflect on the season. The conference provided a valuable opportunity for all Agricultural Employment Liaisons (AELs) and the Office of Foreign Labor Services (OFLS) staff to gather in person as they typically work in different areas of the state. Their dedication to their work was evident as they shared their experiences from the recent season, discussed the challenges they encountered, and presented best practices to addressing any issues they faced.

Carlos Lopez, Mayor of Fennville, joined the conference to share his journey from a farmworker to mayor. His experiences in the agricultural sector profoundly influenced his commitment to community service and advocacy for labor rights. During his talk, Carlos emphasized the importance of building partnerships among local agencies to support farmworkers better. He also highlighted initiatives his administration has implemented to provide resources and training for workers, helping them transition to new opportunities and strengthen their role in the community. His dedication to ensuring that farmworkers receive equitable service reflects his experiences and challenges.

Dr. Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez, Executive Director of the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan, also shared her inspiring journey. She has played a pivotal role in advocating for the Hispanic and Latino communities across the state. Her educational journey reflects her resilience and commitment to education, culminating in earning her doctoral degree.

In addition to her leadership at the Commission, Isabel is known for her work in policy advocacy, focusing on social justice, equity and access to education. She has been instrumental in developing initiatives supporting underrepresented groups' educational and professional development. Her contributions extend beyond education as she actively engages with local communities to foster cultural awareness and inclusion.

Casa de Rosado

During the conference, the team was privileged to visit Casa de Rosado, a gallery and cultural center dedicated to showcasing and preserving Michigan's Chicanx, Indigenous and Latinx cultures. The impact of their community-centered programs and initiatives, which promote discussions leading to community action and the preservation and development of best practices in the arts and crafts of these vibrant cultures in Michigan, was inspiring. The visit, particularly the exhibit dedicated to El Día De Los Muertos, left a lasting impression on everyone.

Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1-2 to honor deceased loved ones. November 1 typically honors children, known as Día de los Angelitos, while November 2 is dedicated to adults. Families create colorful altars, or "ofrendas," adorned with photographs, candles and personal items of their deceased loved ones. They also place offerings, such as pan de muerto (a special bread), fruits and favorite dishes of the departed. The atmosphere during the celebration is one of joy and remembrance, reflecting love and respect for those who have passed away.

Employee Awards

The Employee Awards Ceremony marked the grand finale of the postseason conference, where every AEL and OFLS Analyst was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation. Each certificate recognizes their outstanding service and dedication to supporting Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, as well as Agricultural Employers.

Their service is measured not just by the work they do, but by the lives they touch. Thank you for your dedication and the difference you make every day.

As the end of Michigan's agricultural season approaches, many Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs) begin to experience layoffs, and some may require assistance with unemployment services. The AEL team has been preparing to provide meaningful information to all participants.

AELs in southwest Michigan recently met with Jill Lang from the Unemployment Insurance Agency to collaborate on a better way to serve the unemployed MSFW community. The discussion generated four ideas to enhance providing unemployment information to MSFWs that live and work in Southwest Michigan:

• Joint Workshop – Organize workshops that focus on unemployment services, providing information tailored to the needs of migrant and seasonal workers. Collaborate with local organizations to host these sessions in accessible locations.
• Feedback Loops – Establish regular feedback sessions with participants to gather insights on their experiences with unemployment services. Use this data to adjust strategies collaboratively.
• Outreach Campaigns – Run joint outreach campaigns to raise awareness about available unemployment services. This could include flyers, social media, and community events.
• Partnerships with Local Businesses – Collaborate with local industries to create job fairs that connect workers with new opportunities before leaving the state.

By implementing these strategies, we can foster a more comprehensive and effective support system for those in need of Unemployment Insurance Agency services.

Michigan is home to approximately 1.3 million individuals with disabilities and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) takes pride in helping people with differing abilities achieve their employment goals.

MRS is a statewide network of vocational rehabilitation professionals developing creative, customized solutions that meet the needs of individuals and business. Learn how they can help you at Michigan.gov/MRS.

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 job openings on MiTalent.org

Michigan has thousands of jobs across the state in a variety of industries, including many full-time jobs with benefits in the food and agriculture industry, as well as the agribusiness sector. Start your job search at Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org) to connect with verified employers. You'll even be able to filter your search by jobs in your desired wage range!

Michigan OFLS Team Attends OFLC Regional Training

On October 29-30, the Michigan Office of Foreign Labor Services (OFLS) staff participated in the Office of Foreign Labor Certification Region 5 Training held at in Chicago.

The training covered a variety of topics, including an overview of the H-2A and H-2B Foreign Labor Certification programs, recent program updates, and provided an opportunity to network with staff from Georgia and other Region 5 states, including Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Iowa.

The team had some great conversations about the impact of the 2024 H-2A Final Rule and explored effective strategies to utilize the latest guidance and tools. This is key to ensuring a smooth and consistent review process for H-2A and H-2B job orders within the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG). The training is not just important—it's essential for boosting our efficiency and working with partners to promote job opportunities.

State Monitor Advocate (SMA) Gerardo Aranda was invited to be a panelist at the National Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) conference in Las Vegas to discuss Bringing the Memo of Understanding (MOU) to Life. Gerardo was joined by SMAs from New Mexico and South Carolina and the session was moderated by the National Monitor Advocate team. 

More than 100 participants attended the session to learn how each of the states operate the MOU between the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) and the SMA. Michigan's MOU outlines joint outreach between the agencies. The staff meet in early spring to schedule joint outreach at the top five commodities outlined in the Agricultural Outreach Plan.

State Workforce Agency management staff, the SMA and NFJP management meet frequently as part of the MOU to discuss providing quality outreach services to MSFWs. The two agencies also hold events where farmworkers live, work and gather, many times in the evenings or on weekends.