Issue #2 | July 07, 2026
Welcome to our second edition.
This newsletter brings together two worlds that have more in common than most people realize.
In rural Honduras, there are farming communities full of people who have worked the land their whole lives -- growers who know their crops, take pride in their work, and are looking for opportunities that simply aren't available at home. In Southern Ontario, greenhouse and farm operations are looking for exactly that kind of worker; reliable, experienced, and genuinely committed to the job.
Mayan Greenhouse Connection helps make that connection happen. We are Honduran owned and Honduran run, and we care about the people we work with on both sides.
This newsletter is part of how we stay connected with the farms and communities we serve. If you're planning for next season or facing gaps right now, let's talk.
Worker Story: Fredy Rivera
Fredy Rivera doesn't wait for doors to open, he earns the right to walk through them. In January 2023, he left Honduras for Mexico to train in raspberry production, finishing the program with one of the highest evaluations in his cohort. That performance earned him a U.S. work visa, and he spent the following season harvesting strawberries in Plant City, Florida.
"Everything we do is for a dream," Fredy says. "We work hard so we can give our families a better future and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves."
His first time in Canada took him to British Columbia, where his work ethic didn't go unnoticed, he was recognized as the best worker on the farm. Now, through Maya Maple Connect, he has made his way to Ontario, bringing that same standard with him.
He's working toward something specific: education for his children, a better home, and proof that every sacrifice was worth it.
If you are interested in hiring workers similar to Fredy Rivera, please reach out to [email protected].
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SOUTHERN ONTARIO FARMING
Recent severe weather in Essex County has highlighted infrastructure vulnerabilities for Southern Ontario producers.
• A powerful storm caused significant damage across Essex County, including downed trees, power line failures, and structural damage to farm buildings. Greenhouse operators should review backup power systems, reinforce structural components, and confirm insurance coverage for weather-related losses. Read more ->
• Grant funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is available to expand food production in the Sudbury region over the next three years. Greenhouse and horticulture operations in Northern Ontario should investigate eligibility and application timelines for expansion or infrastructure projects. Read more ->
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GREENHOUSE INDUSTRY
Supply chain updates and funding opportunities are reshaping near-term operations for Ontario growers.
- New ASI funding opens July 8 for energy and resource projects. The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative's latest intake supports greenhouse operators targeting energy efficiency, nutrient management, and water quality improvements. Apply early if your operation has planned upgrades. Read more ->
- Envu rebrands Aliette fungicide as Teclera with same formulation and performance. If you currently use Aliette, the product transition maintains the same active ingredients and disease control results, verify your supplier has the new labeling in stock to avoid ordering confusion. Read more ->
- Quality Cuttings' 2026–2027 catalog features new genetics and supplier partnerships. Review the updated resource if you source propagation material, as new varieties and supply options may align with your crop plans for the upcoming season. Read more ->
- ToBRFV control tools evaluated for greenhouse disinfection protocols. Recent research on cleaner and disinfectant effectiveness against tomato brown rugose fruit virus is now available if disease management is a concern in your facility. Read more ->
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HONDURAS SPOTLIGHT: CORTEZ REGION
About Cortes Region
Northwestern Honduras's Cortés Department encompasses the Sula Valley, a tropical lowland region with year-round warm temperatures and consistent rainfall—ideal conditions for continuous crop production. The zone is Honduras's agricultural powerhouse, anchored by large-scale cultivation of African palm, melons, pineapples, and export vegetables destined for North American markets. Proximity to Puerto Cortés, the country's primary Caribbean port, ensures efficient logistics to US and Canadian buyers. The region's agricultural workforce brings experience in commercial-scale operations, formal employment practices, and export compliance standards. Its significance lies in both production volume and infrastructure: the Sula Valley accounts for a substantial share of Honduras's agricultural exports, making it a reliable sourcing region for operators seeking established supply chains and experienced labor pools.
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In the News
• Wildlife-farmer conflict management: Camera trap footage is being used in Honduras to document endangered wildlife behavior and reduce farmer retaliation killings. This approach helps protect species while maintaining farmer cooperation—relevant for understanding regional land-use pressures affecting agricultural operations. Read more ->
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EVENTS
Migrant Workers Day Festival 2026 - Cancelled Due to Severe Storm
The annual Migrant Workers Day Festival, scheduled for July 5 at Seacliff Park Amphitheatre in Leamington, was cancelled after a severe storm struck the festival grounds shortly before the event began. Weather conditions deteriorated within minutes, causing extensive damage to tents, equipment, and festival infrastructure. With no safe option to proceed, organizers made the immediate decision to cancel.
The Maya Maple Connect team was in Leamington that day and was disappointed to miss the opportunity to deliver our planned remarks on behalf of the Honduran workers we represent, the people whose contributions make operations like yours possible every season. We want to thank Francy Muñoz for the kind invitation to speak, and extend our sincere gratitude to C.A.R.E. for International Workers Program and TNO for organizing an event that matters deeply to the migrant worker community.
Francy extended her sincerest apologies to all attendees, partners, and organizations who traveled, many through difficult weather, to support the event. Her words captured what many of us felt: "Your commitment to migrant workers and your continued partnership remain a source of inspiration."
The festival is expected to return in 2027. We look forward to being there.
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From the Team
Filling seasonal labour through TFWP takes planning. The operations that secure the workers they need, on time, fully compliant, already prepared for greenhouse work, are the ones that start the conversation early.
Maya Maple Connect is Honduran-owned and run by people who have spent over 10 years recruiting from Honduran farming communities for Canadian greenhouses. We know these workers personally. We know their regions, their backgrounds, and what they're capable of. That's not something a general staffing agency can replicate.
What we handle: Candidate sourcing, TFWP documentation, compliance review, and worker onboarding. By the time someone arrives at your operation, the paperwork is done and they know what to expect.
What you do: Review candidates, approve placements, and focus on your season.
If you're planning for an upcoming season or dealing with a gap right now, book a 15-minute call with our team, we'll tell you exactly what's available and what the process looks like.
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Labour & Policy News
• Ottawa is redesigning foreign worker programs, federal changes to TFWP and SAWP are underway. Operators should monitor policy updates as program eligibility, recruitment processes, and worker availability could shift; the article examines what's worked over 60 years and what policymakers should preserve. Read more ->
Contact us: [email protected]
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TRAVEL & HEALTH NOTICES
NOTICE -- Measles Vaccination Requirement for Honduras Travel
The Government of Honduras has confirmed active measles (sarampion) circulation in several regions. Workers travelling from Honduras to Canada are strongly advised to ensure they are up to date on MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination before departure. Canadian employers under the TFWP and SAWP should confirm vaccination status during pre-arrival health screening. Workers who have not received two doses of MMR vaccine should do so at least two weeks before travel.
For more information, contact your TFWP liaison or visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's travel health notices page.