As competition was fierce and all of the many nominees deserving of recognition, The Packer and Equitable Food Initiative were challenged to identify just five finalists in their inaugural Grow the Good Farmworker of the Year award program. Nominations were sought from July 2023 to March 1, 2024.
An extension of their People First initiative, the collaboration will name the Farmworker of the Year at The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Desert, Calif., June 1.
Known for his deep knowledge of pruning, thinning and harvesting of apples and cherries, Andres Aguilar, crew boss for Stemilt Ag Services, has been on the front lines of farming for 15 years and with Stemilt for more than 10 years.
Aguilar’s coworkers describe him as filled with desire and passion to work in agriculture.
“Andres Aguilar is a very friendly person and a good worker. He is the kind of crew leader who is always willing to help others learn on the job,” said former housemate Gregorio Roque M.
Aguilar came to the U.S. as an H-2A worker with experience working in agriculture and technology in Mexico. Stemilt says his experiences in Mexico helped him quickly learn new systems in the U.S., and he has always been eager to share his learnings with his teammates.
His other skills include driving tractors and work on irrigation systems. He received his Washington state driver’s license to drive his crew to Stemilt orchards.
Aguilar has worked his way up over the years, becoming a crew boss, where his strong work ethic continues to make him a hardworking leader who always thinks of ways to improve himself, the company said.
“Andres and I worked together at Stemilt Arrow Ridge in Pasco, Wash. for three years,” said former coworker Araceli Garcia. “There I learned he is a very disciplined and responsible employee. He did all kinds of jobs as a crew boss and was an excellent teammate to other crew leaders as well. Andres is very positive and happy doing any job his supervisors task him with because his job is very important to him.”
He is well respected and liked among his teammates and finds joy in helping his crew learn new technology and devices, said Stemilt.
“Andres’ perseverance to overcome challenges helped him handle life’s most difficult issues,” said one nominator. “Three years ago, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. This was a trying time for him, but he still continued to prosper and fight through his illness — never giving up.
“With the health care provided by Stemilt’s free clinic, Andres was able to work part time and attend every treatment and chemotherapy appointment,” continued the colleague. “Today, we are extremely grateful to say he is cancer free.”
The making of a leader
Aguilar was immersed in agriculture from an early age. Growing up in Mexico, he harvested plantains, coconuts and corn. His focus was mainly on orchard irrigation. He later moved to a larger town where he worked at a Walmart in Villa De Alvarez, Mexico, working his way up to a supervisor position.
“I worked with Andres when I was manager of an orchard at Stemilt’s Arrow Ridge orchards,” said Luis Guzman, supervisor to Aguilar in 2021, Pasco, Wash. “I gave him the position of crew leader, and that’s when I noticed his leadership skills. He has integrity, can bring a group together, has honest skills, speaks his mind and is patient.
“He wants to teach others how to do better in their jobs and has always been willing to help, even while he was battling cancer,” Guzman continued. “He is very optimistic and shows up to work to motivate his teams, which helped him thrive in his position … I feel honored to have met Andres and to count on him as a friend.”
Related: Meet Farmworker of the Year finalist Eduardo Avina
Related: Meet Farmworker of the Year finalist Crisanta Morales
