The Fraga Family Farm

The Fraga family's farm was its most significant achievement and played a crucial role in the growth of America's agricultural industry. The Fraga family lived in Michoacan, Mexico until they journeyed to the United States in February 1919, in search of a better life. Valeriano, a father and husband, made many sacrifices for his family. Valeriano, his wife Martina, and his two young children left their home behind, along with all their personal belongings, friends, and families. They came to America in difficult conditions and were not accepted as citizens, but rather used as agricultural laborers, not allowed to go into jobs in industrial and manufacturing. Valeriano faced many hardships and challenges but persevered through them, leading his family to success. After years of hard work, the Fraga family finally owned their first farm, which remains a welcoming gathering place for their family and friends. This farm is important not only because it demonstrates Valeriano's hard work but also because it represents the work of many Mexican immigrants who played a crucial role in the growth and success of Michigan's agriculture.

During the early 1900s, the Mexican Revolution had a strong impact on many families in Mexico, causing numerous Mexicans to immigrate to the United States. Valeriano lost his job and property due to the revolution. He also faced many dangerous threats from gangs that put his life in danger. In addition, Valeriano and his family suffered various personal tragedies, including the loss of many family members.[1] In the United States, agriculture companies were in desperate need of labor workers, so sugar companies from Michigan began recruiting many Mexicans to work in agriculture jobs. During this time period transportation was not easily accessible to people, so sugar companies offered free transportation and food to Mexicans who signed labor contracts to come work in America[.2] As a result of economic and political conflicts in Mexico and the availability of work opportunities in America, “Immigration from Mexico to the United States rapidly rose between 50,000 and 100,000 per year by 1920".[3] Mexican immigrants were not welcomed by everyone in the United States except for the “American farming and business communities. World War I had just ended and the American farming industry was beginning to feel the effects of the industrial build up".[4] There was a shortage of agricultural laborers, so farm industries like the “Sugar Beet industry started to recruit labor in various locations,”with San Antonio being one of the biggest locations.[5]

Valeriano influenced many Mexican immigrants who were also in search of a better life. Through his hard work and success Valeriano was a role model to people like him. Valeriano and his family traveled to San Antonio by foot. Along their journey Valeriano befriended a poor man that he met and shared with him the little food that they had.[6] Although they had very little, he never hesitated to share. This act of kindness demonstrates the positive impacts that Valeriano left on other people. After Valeriano and his family arrived in San Antonio, a man asked them if they wanted to go to Michigan, and Valeriano answered yes. Valeriano worked in various jobs in Michigan, jumping from farm to farm every season. He worked long and tiring hours, saving up money for food and clothes for his family. Then, Valeriano fell sick and he became so weak and skinny but he refused to stay in the hospital so that he could stay and help his family.[7] Then Valeriano began working for Jim Cargill, a generous landowner. Jim helped Valeriano start his own farm during the year 1950.

Eventually after working very hard, bouncing from farm to farm, facing many threats from employers who wanted to exploit him, undergoing sickness, and searching for opportunities, Valeriano found an 80 acre dairy farm land. The land had a beaten up house that was in poor condition, but Valeriano made a farm out of the soil and remolded the house after years of determination and hard work.[8] Valerinano came across many Mexican immigrants like him, searching for better opportunities, but many weren’t successful. By having his own farm, Valeriano accomplished something many others dreamed of. Considering how immigrants were discriminated and treated, many Mexicans didn’t even believe that owning their own land was possible. However, Valeriano proved that with dedication, perseverance and hard work, you can accomplish great things. Valeriano influenced other Mexican immigrants working in agriculture to persist in working hard, and making their goals more attainable. He gave hope to Mexican immigrants to be able to succeed in America.

Valeriano and many other Mexican immigrants made an impact in Michigan's agriculture and economy. Michigan's agriculture industries were struggling, which resulted in the loss of many Southern labor workers in the agriculture industry.[9] Once Michigan agriculture industries started recruiting workers from Mexico, they employed more than 60,000 workers annually in agriculture.[10] The large number of employees working on these farms expanded Michigan's production of many crops including fruits and vegetables. Agriculture is one of Michigan's biggest economic foundations, “contributing approximately $15.5 billion annually to the state's economy”.[11] Michigan has millions of acres of land that is dedicated to farming, all of this land requires many labor workers. Most of these workers were Mexican immigrants and without them a large amount of land would have gone to waste. Valeriano and many other Mexican immigrants played a major role in the production of Michigan’s food supply. By helping Michigan increase their food production, they also helped raise their economy.

Valeriano’s farm is significant because it demonstrates his hard work that made him a role model to many immigrants. It also represents the impact that Valeriano and many other Mexican immigrants had in the growth of Michigan's agriculture and economy. This farm continues to be home to the Fraga family today, a place where the family can have gatherings and create lifelong bonds. Even though many Mexican immigrants were recruited during this time period, it is still relevant today. Mexicans continue to come to the United States for jobs including agriculture, construction, manufacturing and more. Immigration recruitment is still happening in many different parts of America. Mexican immigration has played a crucial role in shaping Michigan over the years, and it continues to leave life lasting impacts as of today. 

[1] Daniel Fraga, “The Fraga Family Story,” The Fraga Family (blog), 2019, https://thefragafamily.com/the-fraga-family-story

[2] Vargas, Zaragosa. “Life and Community in the ‘Wonderful City of the Magic Motor’: Mexican Immigrants in 1920s Detroit.” Michigan Historical Review 15, no. 1 (1989): 45–68. https://doi.org/10.2307/20173156.

[3] Greene, Alexander. “Mexican Immigration to the United States and Its Effect on Mexican Culture and the Family Structure – LatinxKC,” 2017

[4] Fraga, Daniel. “The Fraga Family Story.” The Fraga Family (blog), 2019. https://thefragafamily.com/the-fraga-family-story/.

[5] Fraga, Daniel. “The Fraga Family Story.” The Fraga Family (blog), 2019. https://thefragafamily.com/the-fraga-family-story/.

[6] Fraga, Daniel. “The Fraga Family Story.” The Fraga Family (blog), 2019.

https://thefragafamily.com/the-fraga-family-story/.

[7] Fraga, Daniel. “The Fraga Family Story.” The Fraga Family (blog), 2019. https://thefragafamily.com/the-fraga-family-story/.

[8] Fraga, Daniel. “The Fraga Family Story.” The Fraga Family (blog), 2019. https://thefragafamily.com/the-fraga-family-story/.

[9] William A Knudson, “The Impact of Migrant Farmworkers on Michigan Agriculture,” Product Center, July 31, 2006, https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/the-impact-of-migrant-farmworkers-on-michigan-agriculture.

[10] William A Knudson, “The Impact of Migrant Farmworkers on Michigan Agriculture,” Product Center, July 31, 2006, https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/the-impact-of-migrant-farmworkers-on-michigan-agriculture.

[11] William A Knudson, “The Impact of Migrant Farmworkers on Michigan Agriculture,” Product Center, July 31, 2006, https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/the-impact-of-migrant-farmworkers-on-michigan-agriculture.

Daniel Fraga, “The Fraga Family Story,” The Fraga Family (blog), 2019, https://thefragafamily.com/the-fraga-family-story/.

Vargas, Zaragosa. “Life and Community in the ‘Wonderful City of the Magic Motor’: Mexican Immigrants in 1920s Detroit.” Michigan Historical Review 15, no. 1 (1989): 45–68. https://doi.org/10.2307/20173156.

Greene, Alexander. “Mexican Immigration to the United States and Its Effect on Mexican Culture and the Family Structure – LatinxKC,” 2017. https://info.umkc.edu/latinxkc/essays/spring-2017/mexican-immigration-family/.

William A Knudson, “The Impact of Migrant Farmworkers on Michigan Agriculture,” Product Center, July 31, 2006, https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/the-impact-of-migrant-farmworkers-on-michigan-agriculture.