Program helps connect, train migrant workers and farmers

Many people may be unaware of a non-profit organization called “Futures Through Training” which helps seasonal and migrant farm workers along with the farmers who hire them. On KVNU’s Crosstalk show Wednesday, Jason Chandler said his job includes helping migrant workers learn English and skills to help them establish themselves. He says the training includes such work as forklift and CDL, and there is also help with food, clothing and housing. “We are able to connect our clients with people that come to us for help and for assistance and for training with future employers, whether that be in any sector. I know a lot of times farmers run into the problem of not being able to find enough people to help with harvests, help with the planting, pruning trees, anything like that. What we can do is we are able to make those connections for them so they do have enough workers.” Layton City officials are expected to file negligent homicide charges Thursday against a Utah exterminator who applied the rodent poison that was later linked to the death of two young girls. They say Cole Nocks applied too much pesticide too close to the home of 4-year old Rebecca Toone and her 15-month old sister Rachel. They died after their yard was treated with rodent poison. Former Logan resident Matt Daines is with a federally funded program that helps train migrant workers and farmers about the dangers of pesticides. On KVNU’s Crosstalk show Wednesday, Daines said his program offers free pesticide training required by the EPA. “I mean, every day they’re out in the sun,” Daines said. “They often think that it’s just a job in the sun but they come in contact with these pesticides all the time, depending on what they’re using.” Daines also said that while contact may be minimal, over time it can be dangerous. “A lot of them have never had a training like this for 20 years, a lot of them have worked that long. But with a little bit of exposure over a long time it can cause some serious health problems.” Futures Through Training is operated by the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information about the Pesticide Outreach Program, Utah Farmworker Program or any other training they offer, call (801) 725-5414 or visit

<a href=”http://www.futuresthroughtraining.org”>www.futuresthroughtraining.org</a>

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