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In the News
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A reprint of an article from the Capital News Service LANSING -- Michigan growers are trying to connect with seasonal workers looking on the Internet for jobs. A new Department of Career Development Web site allows growers to advertise jobs to potential employees who usually come from Texas and Florida. Bowerman Blueberry Farm in Holland hires 50 to 60 workers for each harvest. Carol Bowerman said finding workers has been challenging. "There's lots of jobs in lots of states. The site puts people in touch with growers and other ag jobs in the area," she said. Workers used to come to the farm looking for jobs, but they haven't for two or three years, Bowerman said. Instead, growers now hunt for them. Bowerman has gone to Texas and Florida in search of workers. Often, the laborers her farm recruited didn't show up for work. "Hopefully, this site is the answer," she said. Marv Johansen, manager of Michigan's Migrant Labor Housing program, said finding workers is challenging because the unemployment rate is so low. "The whole climate of jobs and workers has changed dramatically," Johansen said. "Folks who used to work in agriculture have found other jobs. This is one more tool to assist growers in finding workers and assist workers in finding jobs." Fred Springborn of Montcolm County's agriculture extension office said he's seen a shortage of farm laborers. "Ag work is generally physically demanding with long hours. It's a lot easier to flip hamburgers than pick apples." Fringe benefits are listed on the page to make jobs seem more desirable. Johansen said housing is a key component for many potential workers. They also want access to health care and day care information. Growers on the Web site (www.michaglabor.org) get free advertising space to post business profiles and job recruitments. Rebecca Frontiera, a agriculture employment specialist from Sparta's Michigan Works, said she hasn't seen a big response from workers yet, but the season is just starting. Career development held informational meetings for growers in Michigan and promoted the site to laborers in Texas. Rick Olivarez, who works on the Career Development site, said the increasing number of profiles is an indication of how many growers are using the service. He will measure the site for workers' use and responses over the next year. "More growers will participate once they realize how easily accessible it is to workers," he said. Seasonal workers use the Internet at public libraries, and many keep in touch with family through e-mail, he said. © 2000, Capital News Service, Michigan State University School of Journalism
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