“I think people believe that ‘oh, these immigrants are stealing all these jobs,’ ” he said. “We don’t see that here.”

Malenke said there’s a real need for laborers — in dairies, hog confinements, poultry farms and general construction, too.

Not only are immigrants helping buoy the farm economy, but their children are American citizens — they’re part of church communities and schools and sports teams.

“There’s a lot of progress in these communities, I mean in Sioux Center they’re going to build a hospital, a $48 million hospital.  And that’s the kind of things that are happening in these communities, which tells you that businesses are doing well,” he said.

And when communities do well — it gives everybody options. The kids of these immigrant workers – just like other rural kids in the Midwest, are not all going into farm work.  Some want to be doctors, teachers and business owners.  And just like generations before — because of their parents’ hard work, they’ll have that opportunity.

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“I think people believe that ‘oh, these immigrants are stealing all these jobs,’ ” he said. “We don’t see that here.”

Malenke said there’s a real need for laborers — in dairies, hog confinements, poultry farms and general construction, too.

Not only are immigrants helping buoy the farm economy, but their children are American citizens — they’re part of church communities and schools and sports teams.

“There’s a lot of progress in these communities, I mean in Sioux Center they’re going to build a hospital, a $48 million hospital.  And that’s the kind of things that are happening in these communities, which tells you that businesses are doing well,” he said.

And when communities do well — it gives everybody options. The kids of these immigrant workers – just like other rural kids in the Midwest, are not all going into farm work.  Some want to be doctors, teachers and business owners.  And just like generations before — because of their parents’ hard work, they’ll have that opportunity.

[More]

Minnesota Food Association’s  Executive Director Glen Hill describes his organization’s efforts as a “small business incubator.’’ Since 2007 they have taught 100 immigrant and minority persons how to operate financially viable organic farms and will expand on that at their Spring Open House  May 12.

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