Farm Labor and Michigan Agriculture
Nov. 5, 2025
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET)
Morning refreshments and registration will begin at 8 a.m.
MSU University Club (Heritage Room)
3435 Forest Rd.
Lansing, MI 48910
In the face of a critical shortage of farm labor and ongoing efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, Michigan State University will host the third annual farm labor conference on Nov. 5, 2025, at the Henry Center (3535 Forest Rd., Lansing, MI 48910). The conference seeks to investigate labor challenges that domestic agricultural employers and employees are facing, discuss potential solutions, and provide agricultural stakeholders with information and resources to help address these challenges. A continental breakfast and hot lunch will be provided, and coffee and refreshments will be available throughout the day.
The conference is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Chief Economist (award number 58-0111-24-005), the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA), project ID number AA-23-002, the Stephen B. and Karen L. Harsh Agribusiness Outreach Endowment, and the MSU Elton R. Smith Chair in Food and Agricultural Policy.
Registration
While there is no charge for attending, pre-registration is required.
Tentative Agenda - subject to change
| 8:00-9:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast / Coffee |
| 9:00 a.m. 9:05 a.m. 9:20 a.m. |
Chad Cotti, MSU AFRE (Welcome Message) Quentin Tyler, MSU Extension (Overview of MSU Extension) Phil Martin, University California-Davis (Keynote) |
| 10:00 a.m. | Coffee Break |
10:20 a.m. 10:40 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:20 a.m. 11:40 a.m. |
Dairy Round Table Paul Bleiberg, NMPF (Industry Perspective on Labor Issues) Sabes Gomez (Dairy Farmworker Perspective on Labor Issues) Phil Durst, MSU Extension (Labor Issues in Dairy) David Ortega, MSU AFRE (Results from MSU Dairy Survey) Panel Discussion |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch |
1:00 p.m. 1:20 p.m. 1:40 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:20 p.m. |
Academic Session TBD (Issues Facing Farmworkers) Karina Gallardo, WSU (H-2A Survey Results) Genti Kostandini, UGA (Immigration and Farm Labor) Zach Rutledge, MSU AFRE (TBD) Panel Discussion |
| 2:40 p.m. | Refreshment Break |
| 3:00 p.m. 3:20 p.m. 3:40 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:20 p.m. |
Industry and Government Panel Tim Boring, MDARD (Overview of Michigan Agriculture) Skyler Simnitt, USDA-ERS (TBD) Deyanira Nevarez Martinez, MSU SPDC (TBD) Bruce Lack, MSU Migrant Student Services, Migrant Education Program Panel Discussion |
| 4:40 p.m. | Adjourn |
Lodging Reservations:
Discounted rooms are available at the attached Candlewood Suites for a nightly rate of $99 per room until October 4 or until the block sells out, whichever occurs first.
- Booking Online:
- Book with the group rate by using the room block code for the contracted dates by clicking https://www.ihg.com/candlewood/hotels/us/en/lansing/lanmu/hoteldetail
- Click on Book Now, click on “View Prices”, click “Change Search”, click on drop down arrow for “Rate Preferences”, click on “Group Rate”, Enter “Group Code: FRM”, and select arrival and departure dates then search.
- Booking By Phone:
- Call the Candlewood Suites at 517-351-8181 and book with the group rate by using the code “FRM”
Registration for Farm Labor and Michigan Agriculture is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on October 29, 2025.
There are 117 openings available.
Accommodations
Michigan State University Extension programs, services events, and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Betsy Braid at braidbet@msu.edu.