Migrant farmhand shortage has unique impact on area farmers

A shortage of labor caused by the national decline in migrant farmhands is being felt on farms around Michigan.As the flow of migrant workers into the United States has decreased, many farmers have turned to visa-purchasing programs to secure workers. But the solutions for farmers are not equal.“It is difficult for these guys to apply and get here to work,” she said. “It is near impossible. And we need these people.”Farmers like Martin typically hire workers who present green cards, in compliance with federal laws. While other farmers have options for purchasing visas, dairy farmers don’t have many options, MSU Exchange educator Stanley Moore said.“There really are no legal avenues for migrants to work on a dairy farm,” he said.Dairy farmers cannot apply for H-2A visa permits, which bring workers from Mexico for less than a year with a set hourly pay, providing visa fees, transportation both ways and housing. There is no equivalent system for dairy, Moore said, and this problem isn’t fading — Michigan is No. 8 in dairy production in the U.S., and the industry is growing.Martin said she hopes the system is simplified so more legal workers can join the workforce.