Migrant Farmworker Training

Description

Farmworker and immigrant worker legal services programs throughout the Midwest annually collaborate for a pre-season farmworker law training targeted to seasonal staff employed by the various programs. This training will also help new permanent staff get an introduction to the various legal issues that the farmworker population faces. Finally, it will serve as a refresher and update to more experience attorneys and advocates.

The training will be conducted by experienced, permanent staff from the farmworker and immigrant worker programs. The training is open to participants from any interested legal services office or non-profit public interest law firm, as well others who work with these issues. Emphasis will be on training summer staff to “issue spot” on a variety of issues affecting migrant and seasonal farmworkers, including agricultural employment, labor camp housing, health and safety, access to public benefits, services and immigration issues. Specialized delivery issues particular to migrant legal service delivery, such as labor camp and community-based outreach, will also be featured.

Trainers:

• Mark Heller, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (Ohio)
• Patricia Hernández, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (Ohio)
• Miguel Keberlein, Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago
• Susan Reed, Michigan Poverty Law Program/Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
• Kathleen Kersh, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (Ohio)
• Kevin Magee, Legal Action of Wisconsin
• Kara Moberg, Farmworker Legal Services (Michigan)
• Eugenio Mollo, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (Ohio)
• Arturo Ortiz, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (Ohio)
• Jessica Ramos, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (Ohio)
• Erica Sweitzer-Beckman, Legal Action of Wisconsin
• Tom Thornburg, Farmworker Legal Services (Michigan)