1	NEW LATINO FARMERS IN THE MIDWEST: THE CASE OF SOUWTHWEST MIGHICAN Juan Marinez, Michigan State University Extension & Victor Garcia, Professor of Anthropology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
2	Today’s Presentation The presentation is based on the conference paper which provides a synopsis of the findings of a qualitative study on how Latinos are entering and remaining in farming in Van Buren County, MI. USDA’s Office of Outreach funded the study, “Farm Worker Transition to Farm Ownership: Lessons from Mexican-Origin Farmers in Southwestern Michigan” (grant number 00 68-3A75-9-41).
3	Research Over a two-year period, from 1999-2001, data was gathered through both formal and informal interviews with Latino farmers in Van Buren County, Michigan. All but three of the Latino farmers were interviewed. Given their concentration in blueberry growing, the research focused on Latino blueberry farmers.
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5	NASS 2002 Census of Agriculture* Spanish, Hispanic or Latino Origin Operators Nationally, principal operators of Spanish, Hispanic or Latino origin increased by 50.8% between 1997 and 2002.
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7	Latino Farmers in Van Buren County Thirty-one of the estimated 34 Latino farmers in Van Buren County were included in the study. These farmers are Mexican immigrants and ex-Tejano migrant. The immigrants are ex-peasants from the state of Michoacán in central Mexico who, through a process of chain or step migration, immigrated to Van Buren County from Chicago. In Chicago, they worked in light manufacturing, construction, and in the service industry. The ex-Tejano migrants are from the “Valley” in southern Texas.
8	Latino Farmers: Some Demographic Characteristics The Latino farmers range in age from 26 to 64 years with the majority in their thirties and forties. Nearly all, except for three, are males. The three women own blueberry farms. Education wise, the Tejanos have received more of a formal education than their Mexican counterparts. Some of the Tejanos have attended college.
9	Latino Farmers & Crop Production Twenty-two of the 31 Latino farmers grow blueberries, others corn, grapes, and apples. Twenty of the 22 Latino blueberry farmers cultivate 835 acres. Together, members of the Llerena family grow blueberries on 541 acres, nearly 65 percent of the known Latino held blueberry acreage. Five other Latino families grow blueberries on significant holdings, respectively on 65, 40, 40, 35, and 30 acres. The remaining ten Latinos grow blueberries on 20 acres or less.
10	Latino Farmers and Blueberry Growing Latinos purchase small blueberry farms knowing that the acreage will not yield enough to support their families. For them, the farm is more than a business enterprise; it is also a means for pursing a traditional way of life. Since their smallholdings do not generate farm sales sufficient enough to support a family with children, nearly all of the Latino farmers are employed off the farm. Both husband and wives work for local food processors, light manufacturing, and service industries in the county. Besides an income, employment off the farm also provides some of them with medical insurance and other benefits.
11	Obstacles to Getting Started in Farming Blueberry Farms Buying blueberry farms and staying in business is not easy for Latino farmers or, for that matter, any prospective producer. The Latino farmers—blueberry growers and non-blueberry growers alike—cited a number of difficulties in breaking into farming. The salient ones are as follows:
12	Obstacles to Farming (cont.) Purchasing a Farm Infrastructure Development Technology Availability Familiarity with Crops in Van Buren County Language and Culture Participation in USDA Programs
13	Social Capital and Resources A number of resources are obtained through social capital networks: 1. Information. New farmers seek and receive advice regarding pesticide and herbicide applications, plant disease threats, caring for the blueberry bush and berries, and marketing. 2. Land. Some of the Mexican immigrant farmers have come up with creative ways, such as practicing presta nombres and collaborate production arrangements with kinsmen, for obtaining farmland. 3. Labor Sharing. Labor sharing is another resource within social networks. During the harvest, when labor is scarce, members of the same social circle, or group, share workers.
14	Social Capital and Resources (cont) 4. Loans/Financial Assistance. Loans are also made through social networks, mainly to family members and close friends. 5. Other Farming Resources. Other farming inputs, such as fertilizer and machinery, are also shared. 6. Mutual Assistance. Mutual aid consists of lending a helping hand when needed, such as repairing machinery or plant blueberry bushes.
15	NASS 2002 Census of Agriculture* Spanish, Hispanic or Latino Origin Operators Nationally, principal operators of Spanish, Hispanic or Latino origin increased by 50.8% between 1997 and 2002.
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18	Questions?