For the past three years, Agricultural Employment Liaison (AEL) Martha Cerda has maintained a strong and collaborative partnership with Nyblad Orchards, working closely with Krysti Hall to support the farm’s workforce needs.

Martha’s dedication has ensured the consistent delivery of critical services, including:

• Safety Training to protect workers on the job
• Translation Support to bridge language gaps and improve communication
• Orientation Interpretation to help workers understand workplace policies and expectations

Through Martha’s dedicated efforts, Nyblad Orchards has experienced meaningful improvements in communication, cultural understanding, and overall workplace culture. Her proactive approach has fostered trust and collaboration between employees and management, creating a more positive and productive work environment.

In addition to enhancing workplace relationships, Martha has consistently referred qualified workers to Nyblad Orchards, resulting in successful placements that benefit both the employer and the workforce. Her commitment to supporting employers and farmworkers exemplifies the mission of the AES team, building sustainable solutions that strengthen Michigan’s agricultural industry.

With more than 4,500 attendees and 400+ companies, the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market EXPO stands as the premier regional agricultural trade show, creating opportunities for direct engagement with employers, farmworkers and industry partners.

The AFLS team – including Agricultural Employment Services (AES), National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), and Foreign Labor Services (FLS) – provided critical outreach to agricultural employers and farmworkers, sharing information on services designed to support workforce development and retention.

These services include:

• Employer Recruitment and Job Placement Support – Helping agricultural businesses find and hire qualified workers.
• Training Grants and Workforce Development Opportunities – Providing farmworkers with access to skill-building programs and certifications.
• Guidance on H-2A/H-2B Programs – Assisting employers in navigating foreign labor program requirements and compliance.
• Career Advancement and Self-Sufficiency Resources – Empowering farmworkers with tools for long-term success and economic stability.

Throughout the event, team members visited booths, participated in educational sessions, and staffed resource tables to connect stakeholders with these tools and solutions.

Educational sessions covered topics such as fruit and vegetable crops, greenhouse production, merchandising, farmers’ markets, organic production, specialty crops, safety and labor, providing valuable insights into industry trends and emerging technologies.

By working together, the AFLS team is driving innovation and collaboration to ensure Michigan’s agricultural workforce remains strong, competitive, and prepared for the future.

For more information please visit: www.Michigan.gov/AFLS.

The State Monitor Advocate (SMA) staff, Gerardo Aranda and Katalina Soria, along with Coordinated Services Representative Hugo Pantoja, presented an end-of-year performance review and state complaint services system updates during the quarterly AFLS meeting at the Michigan Works! office in Holland.

This meeting gave staff a unique opportunity to celebrate a successful year of collaboration serving Michigan’s Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) population.

In addition to sharing team updates and accomplishments, the group participated in a creative team-building exercise, the Saran Wrap Game, designed to encourage innovation and problem-solving under challenging conditions.

SMA Gerardo Aranda highlighted the significance of having all internal partners in one room, reinforcing the strength of collaboration and shared commitment to service.

The year 2025 brought significant regulatory changes to the H-2A and H-2B programs, reshaping how employers and workers engage in temporary agricultural and non-agricultural employment. These updates were designed to modernize program requirements, strengthen worker protections, and improve efficiency.

The changes introduced new compliance requirements and operational complexities, but the Foreign Labor Services (FLS)  team demonstrated remarkable adaptability and expertise throughout 2025. From guiding employers through updated petition processes to ensuring workers understood their rights, the team provided critical support during a time of transition.

Pictured are FLS Team Members: Program Manager Janet Garcia-Hobbs and Analysts Esmeralda Perez, Maribel Valle and Mercedes Chavez; missing is Jesus Centeno.

As we look to 2026, the Foreign Labor team remains committed to navigating evolving regulations, driving innovation, and delivering solutions that protect workers, empower employers and strengthen Michigan’s agricultural industry.

For more information on Foreign Labor Services, please visit: LEO - Foreign Labor Services.

Although winter changes the agricultural landscape, December proved to be a month to foster partnerships and strengthen support for Michigan’s agriculture sector. The NFJP team worked alongside local and statewide partners to ensure agricultural employers, farmworkers and their families had access to vital resources and services.

At a Michigan Resource Council Posada event, NFJP collaborated with Farmworker Legal Services and the Michigan Department of Health and Himan Services’ WIC program to connect with more than 150 families, sharing information and building relationships that will drive future joint efforts.

Similarly, during the Greater Lansing Hispanic Christmas Symposium, NFJP highlighted programs that promote self-development, career growth and long-term self-sufficiency for farmworkers, while creating opportunities for collaboration among organizations committed to supporting the agricultural workforce.

In partnership with the Agriculture Employment Services (AES) team, NFJP also participated in a food distribution initiative, preparing and delivering approximately 300 food bags to farmworkers. Each bag included NFJP informational materials to ensure recipients were aware of available resources.

AFLS Section Manager Ginger Vallejo, Business and Community Liaison Diana Hernandez-Garcia, and Outreach and Enrollment Coordinators Abigail Frost and Cristo Garcia met with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Program to introduce both programs, discuss shared missions, and explore opportunities for collaboration and joint outreach efforts. NFJP and MSU Extension scheduled a follow-up session to further identify collaborative strategies and strengthen service delivery efforts for potential customers.

Interested in partnering with the National Farmworker Jobs Program? Complete the NFJP Interest Form, and a representative will reach out to provide personalized support tailored to your organization’s needs.

Michigan is hiring! Thousands of positions are available statewide across a wide range of industries. Whether you're looking to start a new career or take the next step, there are full-time jobs with benefits waiting, especially in the Food and Agricultural Industry and the Agri-business sector.

Explore your options on the Pure Michigan Talent Connect website (MiTalent.org) or click here to view a list of more agricultural industry related jobs.

View a list of agricultural jobs.

Recently, the State Monitor Advocate (SMA) Office awarded Mr. Hector Arroyo Jr. the “Best Talent Grower Award” for his efforts in promoting LEO-AFLS MSFW services and mentoring, sharing knowledge and serving tirelessly.

Mr. Arroyo has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to developing talent by guiding, inspiring and empowering others to grow both professionally and personally. Through his mentorship, he actively promotes the mission and services of LEO-AFLS MSFW, ensuring that valuable programs and opportunities are effectively communicated and accessible. His willingness to share expertise, provide support, and serve beyond expectations has made a meaningful and lasting impact on colleagues, partners and the community.

This award honors his unwavering passion, leadership and selfless contributions to excellence in service. Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment & Training, and State Monitor Advocate Gerardo Aranda are pictured with Mr. Arroyo.

Welcome Our New NFJP Manager: Kira Griswold

Kira Griswold has joined the team as the new National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) Manager. Kira brings over a decade of experience managing and leading federally funded international projects and proposals, with expertise in governance, civil society, security and justice initiatives. Her career has taken her across Latin America where she held multiple leadership roles overseeing operations and strategy.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Kira holds an MBA from Colorado State University and a B.A. from American University in Washington, D.C.

Now in her first year as a Michigander, Kira has embraced the local lifestyle walking the bridge, exploring parks, and bicycling throughout the Lansing area with her family. She is excited to join the State of Michigan workforce and continue her journey in mission-driven public service.

Please join us in giving Kira a warm welcome! We look forward to the leadership, insight and energy she brings to our work.

To recognize the braille reading system’s impact on individuals who are blind or visually impaired and to call attention to the invaluable services and resources that enable Michiganders to learn and enhance their reading skills, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed January as Braille Literacy Month in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) facilitates various braille services and resources throughout the state. Their Training Center, located in Kalamazoo, offers in-person and virtual courses on braille that are designed to prepare students with the fundamentals of this reading/writing system, including identifying the braille alphabet, braille numbers, common punctuation and reading comprehension.

For more information about BSBP and its services, visit Michigan.gov/BSBP.