Wagner-Peyser Act

Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed July 2019 as Michigan Farmworker Appreciation Month through the issuance of a Certificate of Proclamation: 

“WHEREAS, for nearly 100 years, Michigan’s migrant and seasonal farmworkers have helped sustain and grow Michigan’s more than 100 commercial crops, second to California in variety; and, WHEREAS, Michigan is one of the country’s leading users of migrant and seasonal labor who are involved in the production and harvest of over 45 crops; and,

WHEREAS, over 50 percent of farmworkers continue to have income below the poverty level and are less likely to utilize public assistance programs designed to help ameliorate the effects of poverty on the working poor; and,

WHEREAS, migrant farmworkers and their children face many challenges, including health, education, safety and security concerns; and,

WHEREAS, children of migrant farmworkers are a symbol of resilience and represent hope and the bright future of our state; and,

WHEREAS, migrant and seasonal farmworkers contribute greatly to the Michigan economy and are essential to the farming industry, as well as display dedication and a strong work ethic that is inspiration to those around the state; and,

WHEREAS, we are pleased to join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to recognize Michigan farmworkers for their incredible determination and accomplishments and offer our sincerest appreciation for the contribution’s farmworkers make to our cities, state, and nation; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim July 2019 as Michigan Farmworker Appreciation Month.”

 While the Governor’s Proclamation addresses the needs of health, education, safety and security concerns; housing, English language proficiency, and employment training have also been identified as unique needs of Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFW).

 An assessment of housing conducted in 2019, found that housing for migrant farm workers with families is becoming scarcer. There appears to be a reduction in domestic worker migration due to the safety and security concerns mentioned in the governor’s proclamation.  This is increasing demand for foreign workers under the H-2A Visa program, and therefore more grower owned housing is being converted to worker-only housing which is reflected by the increase in the number of camps, units, and capacity shown in Table 1 below. 

Table 1 below reflects the progressive increases reported through Michigan Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (MDARD) housing inspections from 2014 to 2018.  The number of licenses for migrant housing remained virtually the same over the last four years, however, the number of inspections for H-2A worker housing doubled from 2014 to 2015, again from 2015 to 2016, again from 2016 to 2017 and continued to increase in 2018.  

There is also a growing concern across the state regarding affordable housing, or the lack thereof.  This is especially prevalent in rural areas making it more difficult for growers and migrant families to afford the increased cost of housing, therefore creating a barrier for migrant families to migrate to work in Michigan.

An assessment of English language proficiency conducted over the last several years has found that migrant and seasonal farm workers continue to identify this as a barrier in communicating with growers, and in their daily interactions outside of the migrant camps.  There have been several efforts among English as a Second Language (ESL) service providers throughout the state to modify their program to better serve the needs of the MSFW population.  However, this remains a need and is also identified as a barrier for MSFWs access to education, training, and employment, opportunities.