More Than a Migrant Worker

March 11, 2026
2:29 pm

Featured image: Dione Jennings, Simon Brothers, Lilian Schaer, Ben Murray, Minister Pearnel Charles Jr., Andrea Miller-Stennett

From Ontario farms to Jamaican homes, a new documentary series reveals the human impact of seasonal agricultural work across borders.

A Partnership That Spans Generations

For six decades, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) has connected Ontario fruit and vegetable farms with workers from across the Caribbean and Mexico.

While the program has become a cornerstone of Canadian horticulture and the broader food system, it is also a story about people, families, and communities on both sides of that partnership.

Since 2021, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) has been bringing those stories to light through the More Than a Migrant Worker (MTAMW) initiative.

As part of this work, the association visits farms across Ontario to interview SAWP participants, giving workers the opportunity to share their experiences, what they have been able to achieve through their work, and the sacrifices they make along the way.

Taking the Story Home

The latest phase of the MTAMW project took the initiative to Jamaica.

In early February, the team travelled there to visit the homes of four seasonal agricultural workers. Prior to the trip, these workers were interviewed on the Ontario farms where they are employed. Those conversations continued in their home communities in Jamaica, where they spoke about how working in Ontario has impacted their lives and families.

The Impact Beyond the Farm

The visits provided a powerful reminder of the program’s impact.

Workers proudly shared the homes they had built, introduced their families, and described the opportunities the program has created for their children.

Throughout the visit, the pride workers feel in participating in the program was evident. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity and excitement about sharing their stories as part of the project.

Families also welcomed the chance to be involved, often speaking about how the program has helped them build homes, invest in their communities, and support their children’s education.

Investing in Future Generations

Education emerged as a recurring theme throughout the interviews.

Many workers explained how their earnings help cover school fees, books, and other educational expenses, making a meaningful difference for the next generation and creating opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.