Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services January News and Highlights

On December 10-12, 2024, the Agricultural and Foreign Labor Services (AFLS) team attended the 2024 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids to distribute information about programs and services available to employers and farmworkers. The Expo is a premier regional trade fair in the area related to the agricultural industry.

The Expo covered a variety of interesting topics such as sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, greenhouse crop production, merchandising, farmers' markets and organic production, and other topics related to specialty crops, safety and labor. 

This annual event is a great opportunity for Agricultural Employment Liaisons (AELs) to interact face to face with farmers and farmworkers and learn about new equipment inclination in agriculture and more. Further, the Expo also presents AELs the opportunity to collect invaluable information that will enhance the services AFLS will provide to agricultural employers in the upcoming season.

Minimum wage sees two increases in 2025

Michigan workers experienced the first of two separate minimum wage increases at the beginning of the year. The second increase will take affect on February 21, a result of the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling on the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (IWOWA), PA 337 of 2018. These changes mark significant shifts in the state's wage landscape, impacting both workers and employers across Michigan.

Learn more about how these changes may affect you here.

Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act

Starting February 21, Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act will undergo significant changes. The Michigan Supreme Court recently ruled that small businesses with fewer than 50 employees are no longer exempt from providing paid medical leave. This means that all employers, regardless of size, must now provide up to 72 hours of paid sick leave annually. This is a major shift from the previous law, which allowed small employers to opt out.

Learn more about changes to the Paid Medical Leave Act here.

Agricultural Employment Liaison (AEL) Sandy Jimenez Departure

On December 13, our team had to say goodbye to Sandy Jimenez, who has worked as an AEL for over six years, when she resigned to focus on her family. Throughout her time with the team, Sandy has been a source of inspiration and has received several department awards and recognitions, including ones given to those who’ve demonstrated exceptional work.

Sandy made significant contributions to provide services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs) in their workplaces, homes and communities. She also initiated the Bienvenidos event, which has grown over the years to provide employment services, entertainment and assistance for MSFWs. The sixth annual Bienvenidos event took place at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds, on Saturday, June 29 where more than 40 volunteers and 28 partner agencies came together to serve more than 600 participants.

Sandy’s absence will be deeply felt by our team and by the customers she served. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

On December 14, 2024, AELs Jesus Lule and Elizbia Xaxni-Capula participated in the SWMMRC Annual Christmas Basket event at the Van Buren Intermediate School District Conference Center in Lawrence. This initiative aims to spread joy and cheer to MSFWs and their families during the holiday season, which can often be challenging for these communities.

The event served approximately 250 families, each receiving bags filled with essential groceries and gifts generously donated by Toys for Tots for their children. The SWMMRC played a crucial role in purchasing groceries, ensuring families had the necessary items to enjoy festive meals together. Funds for these items were raised through a series of community events and generous contributions from local agencies and farmers, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and support the local community embodies.

One of the event's highlights was the opportunity for families to capture memories with Santa Claus. This beloved tradition is something children eagerly anticipate each year, and it adds a magical touch to the festivities. Parents and kids alike delighted in the chance to take photos, creating lasting memories in a warm and joyful atmosphere.

In addition to the holiday cheer, AELs provided valuable employment services, assisting families in accessing resources and support that can help them in their job searches or skills development. Several partner agencies joined in, offering further assistance and information, ensuring families celebrated the season and had access to essential services that could help improve their livelihoods.

Overall, the Christmas Basket event exemplified the power of community and the importance of coming together to support those in need. It was a day filled with laughter, joy and hope, reminding us of the true spirit of the holiday season. 

The Michigan Works! network supports businesses with their needs in all 83 counties across the state. Each Michigan Works! Service Center has Business Solutions professionals who can help you with your training and hiring needs, labor market information, talent recruitment, access to economic development resources and more.

If you're ready for personalized support, go to Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks to get started.

The Fidelity Bonding Program gives employers the peace of mind to safely provide job opportunities to all individuals with limited risk. It was created to assist high risk, but qualified job seekers who have offers of employment.

The Fidelity Bond protects employers from any loss of money or property incurred as a result of dishonesty by high-risk workers. Bond insurance coverage ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 and is free of charge for the first six months of employment of the bonded employee. For more information regarding the Fidelity Bonding Program, please visit the Fidelity Bonding Program website.

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 AELs spent the majority of 2024 serving MSFWs, received national recognition

Agricultural Employment Service and Michigan Works! registered 5,317 Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers for services in 2024. Michigan ranks number four as most MSFW significant state in the country, and first in region five! 

According to the 2022 United States Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture, there are an estimated 68,950 migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Michigan during peak agriculture season. The 13 AELs contacted more than 27,000 MSFWs during the year, or 39% of all MSFWs in the state. The AELs also spent 65% of their time in the field, visiting farmworkers where they live, gather and work!

The National and Regional Monitor Advocate team visited Michigan for the first time in 2024 and met with members of the Interagency Migrant Services Committee, state workforce leadership, the State Monitor Advocate and Michigan Farm Bureau. The national team congratulated the state for a job well done serving MSFWs and agricultural employers in the state.