Latinos in the Midwest

Increasing Knowledge and Networking Opportunities for Small-Scale Mexican Growers in Southwest Michigan

n 257 MARIA JOSEFA SANTOS and ANTONIO CASTRO-ESCOBAR Increasing Knowledge and Networking Opportunities for Small-Scale Mexican Growers in Southwest Michigan In agriculture, Michigan’s second largest industry, Hispanics are becoming increasingly important. In 2006, Hispanics made up only 3.9% (393,281) of Michigan’s total population; however, this figure represents a 20.3% increase over the previous six years. Furthermore, Michigan ranks fourth in the nation in the number of seasonal agricultural migrant workers, with approximately 45,000 annually, most of whom are Hispanics. The majority of these workers come from Mexico, following the southern migrant stream and harvesting crops in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina before reaching Michigan. Texas, followed by California, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Washington, Idaho, and Michigan, had the largest number of Hispanic farm owners and the largest acreage in farm holdings in 2002 (A. López 2007). Moreover, it is well known that the grower population in Michigan and throughout the United States is aging; the average age of Michigan growers is about 60 years, and their progeny are not likely to continue farming. Alternatively, the average age among Mexican growers is 35–40 years, and it is more likely that their descendants will continue the farming tradition (A. López 2007). For this reason, it is important to pay attention to Hispanic farmers and their business needs. Another important 258 n Santos and Castro-Escobar reason to pay attention to these growers is that ethnic groups often introduce new crop varieties that are native to their country of origin and, as a consequence, help to open new niche markets and new business opportunities. Growing crops native to their country of origin helps immigrant groups satisfy the need for products that bring back memories from their country of origin, and helps the community to form cultural bonds. In short, the number of Mexican growers has increased considerably and is beginning to form an important entrepreneurial group in southwest Michigan. For this reason, programs, projects, courses, businesses, educational, and governmental institutions need to make adjustments to meet the needs of this important new group of grower-entrepreneurs. To date, the main sources of knowledge for these growers have been a few individuals that belong to the same ethnic group. Lacking experience, Mexican growers have a great need for information and training in basic agricultural practices; moreover, they also struggle to become integrated into their new communities and Michigan’s agricultural system. The objective of this chapter is to show the needs experienced by a group of Mexican growers who acquired farmland in southwest Michigan, the different strategies these growers follow to meet such needs, and how educational, state, federal, and nonprofit agencies, by working together, try to meet the needs of this group of Mexican growers. The chapter describes key obstacles to fulfilling these needs, as well as offering several practical recommendations for improving the relationship between these agencies and the Mexican growers. To accomplish these objectives, 22 Mexican agricultural entrepreneurs in southwest Michigan were interviewed, as well as two Extension staff members from Michigan State University, and one staff member from an agency that supports agriculture in Michigan. This study was conducted in the 2007–8 academic year. Background Michigan’s agricultural sector is the second most important industry in the state, following only the automobile industry (at least until recently). The state’s agribusiness segment generates nearly $64 billion in economic activity and employs one million people. Michigan’s agri-food sector would rank 62nd if it appeared on the Fortune 500 list. It is estimated that from 2006 through 2011, the state could see an additional $1 billion economic boost from the agri-food sector; this could create up to an additional 23,000 new jobs annually, according to a study by Michigan State University’s Product Center. Michigan ranks fifth and eighth nationally in exports of fruits and vegetables, respectively. According to the same study, Michigan exports Increasing Knowledge and Networking Opportunities n 259 about one-third of its agricultural commodities each year, generating more than $1 billion and supporting nearly 13,000 jobs (Michigan Department of Agriculture 2008). Thus, agriculture is immensely important to Michigan’s economic health. Michigan’s agriculture is also the second most diverse in the nation in the number of crops grown; only California surpasses it. Michigan produces over 200 commodities on a commercial basis. In 2008, the state ranked ninth in the United States in milk production, producing 7...