Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services September News and Highlights

The LEO-AFLS Agricultural Employment Services (AES) team continued to provide onsite outreach services across Michigan's diverse agricultural regions, connecting both agricultural employers and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs) to vital employment and support resources. Agriculture is a cornerstone of Michigan’s economy, and a thriving sector depends on a strong, supported workforce.

The AES team is committed to empowering MSFWs and their families by reducing barriers, providing education and promoting access to employment and training programs available through local Michigan Works! Service Centers.

During August, peak harvest season includes crops such as pears, plums, peaches, nectarines, apples, potatoes, wine grapes, cucumbers, onions, sweet corn, squash, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. Michigan’s rich and diverse soil yields a wide range of crops, requiring more strategic efforts to locate and connect with farmworkers where they live and work.

To address this, Agricultural Employment Liaisons have attended numerous community outreach events, often after hours or on weekends, to connect with farmworkers at convenient times and locations. In collaboration with agencies, farmers and farm labor contractors, these events help link workers and their families to essential services such as food, education, childcare, healthcare and employment opportunities, strengthening both the agricultural workforce and community support systems.

These coordinated outreach efforts not only connect workers with essential services but also help foster a healthier agricultural sector, one where employers benefit from a supported, stable workforce, and farmworkers have improved access to crucial resources like healthcare, education, childcare and job training. By supporting both employers and workers, these services promote safe, productive workplaces and a stronger agricultural economy for all.

We encourage agricultural employers to connect with their Local Michigan Works! Service Center or Agricultural Employment Liaison for a wide range of services, including:

• Assistance posting job orders
• Information on workforce training opportunities
• Worksite compliance posters
• Interpretation services during employee orientations
• Support with recruitment and retention of agricultural workers

All services are offered free of cost to employers and jobseekers.

The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) team has been hard at work connecting with Michigan’s agricultural communities, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring farmworkers have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive. Two recent outreach events highlight the power of collaboration and the impact of meeting farmworkers where they are.

NFJP Business and Community Liaison Anakaren Salinas and Outreach and Enrollment Coordinators Cristo Garcia and Abigail Frost partnered with Agricultural Employment Liaison Elizbia Xaxni-Capula and Michigan Works! in Coldwater to host two information sessions for local farmworkers. Over the course of the day, participants learned about services NFJP offers, including career counseling, job training and supportive services like childcare and transportation. The event underscored NFJP’s commitment to ensuring employers have access to services and every farmworker can build a stable and rewarding career.

The Shelby Community Health and Resource Fair was also a great opportunity to collaborate with Agricultural Employment Liaisons Jose Barco and Julia Briones.

This event provided another valuable opportunity to connect directly with farmworkers and families while also strengthening ties with community partners. In addition, NFJP staff collaborated with the Telamon Corporation, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan State University Extension, and West Shore Community College to expand reach and create stronger pathways for farmworkers to access education, training and career opportunities. 

Together, these events illustrate the heart of NFJP’s mission – supporting agricultural workers and their families while building a more resilient workforce. By partnering with local organizations, listening to community needs and providing practical solutions, NFJP is helping create long-term stability and opportunity in Michigan’s agricultural sector.

As NFJP continues its outreach across the state, we invite employers, service providers, and community members to join us. Whether by collaborating on future events, sharing resources, or helping employers and farmworkers access NFJP services, your partnership makes a difference.

Please visit the National Farmworker Jobs Program page for more information.

Diana Hernandez Garcia is the new Business and Community Liaison for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). Diana brings more than five years of experience in workforce development and a strong commitment to serving farmworker communities while fostering meaningful employment opportunities.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, she began her career with Michigan Works!, providing direct support to job seekers. Diana later joined Telamon as a career coach within the NFJP, where she deepened her understanding of the unique needs of farmworkers.

Diana holds the Certified Workforce Development Professional credential, further reinforcing her expertise and commitment to the field.

Discover career opportunities with Pure Michigan Talent Connect

Pure Michigan Talent Connect (MiTalent.org) is more than just a job board—it's a dynamic platform connecting Michigan’s job seekers with employers, training programs and career development resources.

One of its standout features is the Career Events page, a powerful tool designed to bring talent and opportunity face-to-face. Through the page, users can explore a wide range of in-person and virtual events across the state. Or create a free account to access even more resources!

This Workforce Development Month, the impact of programs helping Michiganders is measurable and Michigan’s results are clear. In 2024, LEO helped 193,000 Michiganders secure meaningful employment, provided workforce training to 76,000 people and connected 32,000 individuals with disabilities to customized employment opportunities.

Michigan serves more individuals than any other state in the Midwest, proving that targeted workforce programs make a real difference in the lives of Michiganders. These programs help adults gain high-demand skills and support businesses in filling critical talent needs.

The numbers demonstrate that when workforce programs are accessible, everyone benefits. Learn more about Michigan’s leadership in workforce development. Learn more about these programs at Michigan.gov/Workforce. 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced a temporary suspension of H-2A certification fees starting September 2, 2025. This pause is part of a larger effort to modernize the payment process by transitioning to a new electronic payment system. Click here to read more. 

What this means for employers:

• Starting September 2, 2025, no new invoices for H-2A certification fees will be issued.
• Employers must still pay any invoices received before this date.
• During the suspension period, fees will not be collected.
• Once the new electronic payment system is ready, ETA will announce the new payment procedures and when fees will resume.

How we can help:

We understand these changes may raise questions or require assistance. Our team is here to support you throughout this transition and can be reached at LEO-FLCOffice@michigan.gov. Stay tuned for further updates and thank you for your cooperation.

Michigan Snapshot: H-2A and H-2B Program Statistics for FY2025 Q3

The U.S. Department of Labor has released the Q3 FY2025 Selected Statistics for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs, offering a detailed look at temporary agricultural and non-agricultural labor trends across the country. In Michigan, these programs continue to play a vital role in supporting seasonal workforce needs. The data highlights the number of positions requested and certified, top occupations, and key employment sectors within the state.

These insights help inform outreach strategies, employer engagement, and policy discussions around foreign labor in Michigan’s agricultural and broader seasonal industries.

View the H-2A Selected Statistics for Q3 of FY2025 (PDF).

View the H-2B Selected Statistics for Q3 of FY2025 (PDF).

A key component of the Monitor Advocate System is conducting outreach to MSFWs at their working, living and gathering places. The State Monitor Advocate (SMA) staff conduct frequent field visits and discuss the State Workforce Agency's provision of employment services and other employment-related programs with MSFWs, crew leaders and employers. During these visits, the SMA staff must be observant of the working conditions of the workers. 

In a recent visit to a worksite, SMA Aranda and Compliance Monitoring Analyst Katalina observed workers engaged in the harvest of bell peppers. Approximately 27 buckets of bell peppers were picked by each of the workers in an hour.

A trailer where the peppers are dumped onto also carries iced water and the workers are given frequent breaks from the heat. Katalina spoke with many of the workers who come to this same farm every year through the H-2A visa program. Many of the workers she spoke with had no issues, questions or concerns and spoke highly of their supervision and employer. They always look forward to returning every year.

July Outreach Report

During the month of July, AELs contacted 3,925 MSFWs and registered 327 of them for career services. A total of 498 MSFWs were registered during the month, 171 MSFWs visited or contacted Michigan Works! staff to register for career or other services. Please visit the Monitor Advocate System page for more information.