2015 Farmworker Awareness Week

We are in the midst of Farmworker Awareness Week and joining with partners and friends to express our appreciation for the contributions that farmworkers make to our health, economy, and communities as they provide the labor that brings food to our plates. Check out Student Action with Farmworkers to learn about some of their initiatives for Farmworker Awareness Week and what you can do to be in solidarity with farmworkers… read more »

Please Join Us: “Maine Migrations, Past and Present”

On Sunday, April 26, 2015, Colby College will host Maine Migrations, Past and Present.  The conference will bring together folks who study, work with, care about, or are themselves members of minority communities that immigrated to Maine, both recently and many generations ago. We will explore common dynamics across diverse immigrant communities as well as the similarities and differences among their experiences in Maine.  The conference is open to all at… read more »

Lisa Tapert joins MMHP

The Maine Migrant Health Program (MMHP) is pleased to announce the hiring of their new executive director, Lisa Tapert, MPH.  Ms. Tapert brings with her 21 years of global public health leadership and senior management experience from both the private and non-profit sectors.  She was formerly the Vice President for Global Access Programs at Axios International, a health consultancy where she led a multi-country team providing increased access to chronic… read more »

Heat Stress Prevention – Stay safe this summer!

Hot working conditions, either under the sun or in barns, are faced by most farmworkers, even in relatively cool Maine. In an effort to provide health education about heat stress, this past week, MMHP participated in a Heat Stress Prevention Marathon organized by AFOP (Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs). The week was held as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Heat Stress Prevention month in June. Aliza Kreisman,… read more »

Community Health Worker Initative

Maine Migrant Health Program (MMHP), in partnership with the Maine CDC and MCD Public Health, is excited to announce that we will be developing a statewide Community Health Worker (CHW) program. This initiative is funded by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) as part of the State Innovation Model (SIM) project. It will build on our expertise and long-term commitment to working with CHWs and Promotoras.  We look… read more »

“Si, se puede”

This week, I have spent a number of hours looking, reading and watching many resources about National Farmworker Awareness Week. It’s amazing to see how many organizations are able to come together on a national scale to honor and support the work that feeds us all.   Here in Maine, I like driving and seeing the occasional “Got Food, Thank a Farmworker” bumper sticker.   It’s a good reminder of… read more »

“I am Honduran”

Today we bring you a farmworker perspective. “I am Honduran”   We want you to know that this program is extremely important and special to us and has been very useful. The climatic changes, the diet, and the work causes abnormal reactions that frequently make the human body ill. The attention that you give us with such kindness is worthy of recognition; we are very satisfied with it. Every visit… read more »

“Through the eyes of a Farmworker”

In continuing with theme of reflections from both farmworkers and the MMHP team, today our thoughts include a few words and photos taken by our Medical Director, Cheryl Seymour, MD. “Through the eyes of a Farmworker” I like to think of these pictures as a few scenes through the eyes of the farm-workers we serve. Certainly there are many more scenes that I am unable to record: their view of… read more »

“Today, you are my Family”

Every year we celebrate National Farmworker Awareness Week.  While we feel it is important to become more knowledgable about farmworkers lives, work and health throughout the year, we also like to take part of a nationwide effort to spread the word about what is happening in our own state of Maine.  We hope that this week can bring awareness and a glimpse of the work that MMHP does, as well… read more »

Film Screening: After I Pick The Fruit- The Lives Of Migrant Women

In a few weeks, the movie, After I Pick the Fruit- The Lives of Migrant Women will be screened in Maine.  We are very excited to be a sponsor alongside The Apple Farm, Lakeside Orchards, Colby College International Club, Railroad Square Cinema, and the Economic Justice Committee of First Congregational Church in Waterville. The screening will be held at Railroad Square Cinema (17 Railroad Square, Waterville) on Saturday, February 16,… read more »