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(Para una versión en español, haga clic aquí.)
Winter Challenges: Farmworkers Weigh Their Options in Michigan and Beyond
As the colder weather settles in, migrant agricultural farm workers are faced with a tough choice: stay in Michigan, return home or follow the warm weather and crops to another state.
Those who remain in Michigan must endure the below-freezing temperatures, making the winter months particularly difficult. Alternatively, those who choose to return to warmer states face the difficult reality of limited jobs.
As migrant agricultural workers prepare to make these decisions, our Agricultural Employment Liaisons (AELs) are ready to help them through these tough times. AELs continue to play a crucial role by connecting workers with available job opportunities and referring them to vital support services as needed. Their commitment ensures workers have the resources and guidance they need to navigate these challenging months.
Find an AEL near you here.
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ICYMI: Father and Daughter Fined for Violating H-2A Program Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor has debarred a North Carolina-based father and daughter from utilizing the H2-A program for three years for widespread violations of federal regulations.
Investigators determined that the daughter submitted an application to hire the temporary workers under the H-2A program while her father controlled the entire planting and harvesting operation, including the recruitment of workers to harvest their produce transporting them to and from farms in other cities.
Additionally, the division found that the father had illegally sent H-2A employees to work outside the scope of the approved contract to another farm and to a local metal recycling center and landscaping business. As a result of the violations, the division recovered $73,094 in back wages for 30 workers.
Read more about this incident here.
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Staff Updates
AFLS Welcomes Jose Barco
The AFLS team is excited to welcome Jose Barco as the new Agricultural Employment Liaison. Jose will be based at the Michigan Works! Service Center in Shelby and will be covering the northern part of the state, including Oceana, Mason, Manistee and other counties as needed.
We’re thrilled to have Jose on board and look forward to the great work he’ll do in supporting agricultural workers in these areas.
View the full list of Agricultural Employment Liaisons here.
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How AFLS Helps Michigan Employers and Workers
The Agricultural Employment Services program provides career services to agricultural workers as well as employment and recruitment services to employers by conducting outreach at working, living and gathering places. The 2025 season has already begun with AELs attending grower trade shows such as the Great Lakes Expo to promote employment and training services available through local Michigan Works! Service Centers to MSFWs and agricultural employers.
Employers looking for assistance with posting job openings on Pure Michigan Talent Connect (Mitalent.org), assistance in locating workers using the Agricultural Recruitment System (ARS), and/or locating resourceful information in planning for the 2025 agricultural season, should contact their local AEL for assistance.
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Resources to help you on your job search
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.
Get to your dream career using Career Explorer!
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Have a dream job in mind but not sure how to get there? Let Career Explorer help you!
Career Explorer leverages your professional experience to identify personalized training and educational programs to help you get from where you are to where you want to be.
Access the tool from your Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org) job seeker account. Don’t have one? Create one for free today at MiTalent.org.
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Updates from the Office of Foreign Labor Services
Understanding the differences in H2A and H2B Visa Programs
For employers who hire temporary foreign workers, it's crucial to understand the right visa programs to legally bring workers to the U.S. The H-2A and H-2B visa programs can help, but they serve different purposes.
The H-2A visa is for agricultural workers. If your business involves farming, ranching or other seasonal agricultural work, this visa can help bring in workers for tasks like planting, harvesting and livestock care.
The H-2B visa is for seasonal workers in non-agricultural industries. This includes jobs in construction, hospitality, landscaping and even truck driving, which has recently seen shortages.
Key Differences Between H-2A and H-2B Visas:
- Duration of Stay: Both visas allow a stay of up to three years. However, H-2A workers typically stay for one year, while H-2B workers can extend their stay in certain situations. Workers must come from an eligible country.
- Employer Obligations: H-2A employers must provide housing and daily transportation to work, while H-2B employers don't have to provide housing, though they may.
Common Features of H-2A and H-2B Visas:
- Employers must have a need for temporary labor.
- Employers hiring foreign workers on a temporary basis will not negatively affect the working conditions or wages of U.S. workers in similar positions.
- Employers must provide housing and transportation that meets government standards for seasonal or temporary agricultural workers.
- There are insufficient U.S. workers available for the job, and the employer must obtain labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Learn more about the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program here.
Learn more about the H-2B Temporary Non-Ag Program here.
Updates from the State Monitor Advocate
Monitoring, Outreach, Agricultural Recruitment System and the Complaint System: Essential Duties of the State Monitor Advocate
Monitoring
Gerardo Aranda, Michigan's State Monitor Advocate, monitors the provision of services and ensures services are provided to MSFWs on a basis that is qualitatively equivalent and quantitatively proportionate to all other job seekers. Aranda tracks equity indicators and minimum service level indicators, conducts site and field visits to working and living areas of migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs). He also reviews quarterly data reports, outreach logs and the state’s Agricultural Outreach Plan.
Outreach
Monitor Advocates provide technical assistance to the State Workforce Agencies, ensuring MSFWs are being contacted outside of traditional hours of operation. Aranda provides training and technical guidance as needed, using best practices to serve the largest number of MSFWs in the state possible through outreach services.
Agricultural Recruitment System
Monitoring the Agricultural Recruitment System (ARS) helps agricultural employers recruit qualified U.S. workers on a temporary or seasonal basis and provides workers seeking temporary agricultural employment with opportunities for such employment. Through the ARS, State Workforce Agencies can recruit and refer qualified U.S. workers from within a state and from other states when they anticipate there are fewer temporary agricultural workers available than needed in the local area. ARS helps agricultural employers meet temporary and seasonal labor needs by matching U.S. job seekers with agricultural jobs.
For more information on the ARS, contact your local Michigan Works! Service Center, or go to Michigan.gov/AFLS.
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Complaint System
Monitor Advocates provide guidance to State Workforce Agencies on the operation of the state’s Employment Service and Employment-Related Law Complaint System to handle complaints involving failure to comply with federal regulations, and complaints against an employer. The Complaint System also accepts, refers, and, under certain circumstances, tracks complaints involving employment-related laws.
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Upcoming Events
Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services
Workforce Development
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
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