MSU Invites Latino Farmers to Discuss Difficulties of Migrant Workers

October 7, 2022 - Brigita Felkers

In every grocery store in America, fresh produce can be found. In Michigan, the majority of new farmers that produce agriculture are local and independently run by Latino families, rather than big corporations.

However, being a local small farmer also means that there is a lot of work to be done and less hands to do the job. Because of this, many farmers hire temporary help that come from other countries, specifically Mexico and Central America.

To help organize the process of hiring migrant farm workers, the H-2A Visa Program was put into effect under the Immigration Reform and Control Act. H-2A is a program that allows farmers to employ temporary, nonimmigrant domestic workers with a visa.

The purpose of the H-2A program was to smoothen the process of hiring farmworker labor, yet many farmers do not believe the program is effective nonetheless accessible. In efforts to shed light on this and get the attention of politicians, Michigan State University hosted a luncheon with representatives from several departments and local Latino farmers to discuss the program.

Luis Alonzo Garcia, Director of MSU’s Migrant Student Services, had the idea to hold the luncheon which took place on Monday, Sept. 19 at Brody Hall. This was a unique meeting that brought MSU researchers, policy makers and farmers together. 

Garcia’s motivation for having this conversation was simple: bringing groups together.

“Faculty researchers have discussions on their perspectives with primarily large production farms, and I’m talking with the small Latino famers,” said Garcia. “Those worlds are quite far apart. Rather than assuming that the challenges facing agriculture represent the Latino farmers, therefore I wanted to bring them to the table. My objective is to set up a scenario where Latino farmers have a voice, and we can hear directly from them.”

Several Latino farmers from Michigan spoke at the event, all sharing their different struggles when it comes to hiring farmworkers.

Pedro, a blueberry farmer, explained to the group that as a small farmer it is not cost effective to hire workers through H-2A. After the steps of filing and processing, it costs more than it is worth — especially when he only has five acres of land with a crop that has a quick harvesting time. 

Because of this, many farmers turn to hiring farmworkers independently. Leonard, another Michigan farmer, posted on Facebook looking for help. While this worked, this way of hiring causes competition among the small farms. Wherever the highest paying work is, that is where farmworkers go.

Many attendees of the luncheon were aware of the difficulties small farmers face, but seldom have the opportunity to directly hear from them, including Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Director of MSU Extension, Quentin R. Tyler, Ph.D. 

“Being in the agriculture and natural resources field, we always hear about challenges and barriers, but it carries additional weight when you hear it directly from the producer,” said Dr. Tyler. “To hear their challenges directly from them during this luncheon was powerful, to hear their passion for their work and what they do in the agriculture space is palpable.”

The farmers explained that the system for farmworkers is flawed: there are difficulties obtaining health care, housing conditions are now unsuitable for the number of people coming to work and the process for receiving long term or permanent visas is ineffective.  

“The conversation that took place made a difference in taking a step forward,” said Garcia. “But a pivotal piece in this conversation has to be with the people in Washington D.C. that can affect legislation.” 

Many of the questions and concerns brought up at the discussion were geared toward Eric Kelly, a representative of Senator Gary Peters. The goal is for him to bring these concerns and ideas for progress to Washington D.C. and for new policies to be put in place.

After the discussion, a compilation of notes and ideas for progress were put into place. Garcia plans to meet with Senator Gary Peters and Senator Debbie Stabenow to further discussions.

“MSU’s Migrant Student Services, MSU Extension and MSU’s La Cosecha program are committed to engaging in discussion with this group in ways we have not had before,” said Garcia.