Helping Hands in an Atmosphere of Trust

Andrea Garza and the Power of Being Understood

At large dairy operations like Swisslane Farms in Alto, Michigan, the work never really stops. Robotic milkers hum around the clock. Employees move between barns, equipment rooms, and feed lanes. Efficiency matters. Precision matters. So does the physical strength required to keep everything running.

For many farm laborers who make up a vital part of Michigan’s agricultural workforce, the demands are repetitive and physically intense. Over time, backs tighten. Shoulders strain. Wrists ache. For workers supporting families, stepping away from the job is rarely a simple decision.

That’s where Andrea Garza enters the story

A certified occupational therapy assistant working with Michigan AgrAbility through Easterseals MORC, Andrea focuses on serving a variety of farm workers who perform many different tasks. Her work takes place onsite, in barns and farm offices, alongside the routines of daily farm life.

At Swisslane, she worked with Derly R., a farm manager who brought international experience to his role. With a master’s degree in agronomy and experience in seed and grain technology, Derly plays a critical role in maintaining automated milking systems, overseeing quality control, and managing water compliance processes.

Even experienced managers are not immune to strain

When pain began building in Derly’s back, shoulders, and wrist, it threatened not only his comfort but his ability to sustain the pace his role required. Andrea met with him onsite, conducted a range-of-motion assessment, and talked through practical strategies appropriate for his work environment.

“She helped me perform better at my job,” Derly shared. “She gave me instructions on stretching my back and resting it, and a back brace to use.”

The recommendations were straightforward. Targeted stretching. Rest. Inflammation management. Support where needed. With those adjustments, the pain eased and his body had room to recover.

For many workers, being able to describe discomfort clearly makes all the difference. Expressing pain related to work tasks can feel intimidating. Andrea’s ability to conduct onsite arthritis screenings and mobility assessments creates a setting where workers can speak openly and ask questions without hesitation.

That trust changes the conversation

Since joining Michigan AgrAbility in 2020, Andrea has conducted range-of-motion assessments for workers across multiple farms. She advises clients on stretching routines, heat and cold therapies, fatigue reduction, and techniques to reduce strain during repetitive tasks.

Each worker who completes a screening receives a small but practical item, such as shoe inserts or knee pads, to help ease the physical demands of daily work.

The adjustments are often simple. But simple does not mean insignificant. In agriculture, walking away is rarely the first choice. Adapting the work is.

On farms like Swisslane, early intervention can prevent minor strain from becoming long-term injury. Having access to onsite support gives employees an option before discomfort escalates into something more serious. It also gives employers confidence that their workforce has access to guidance beyond an expensive office visit.

“Knowing that there are resources for employees to get help, that’s important,” Derly said.

“Before going to a doctor, if it’s something minor that you can correct with a few exercises, it’s important to know that there are people who can help you out.”

For workers without comprehensive health insurance, access to no-cost assessments through AgrAbility can remove a financial barrier to care.

Andrea’s work also includes outreach to beyond the worksite and into agricultural communities to ensure workers understand the services available to them. By meeting people both where they work and where they live, she helps lower the hesitation that often surrounds asking for support.

Nationally, musculoskeletal conditions such as back injuries and arthritis remain among the most common physical challenges facing agricultural workers. AgrAbility’s mission is to enhance quality of life and preserve livelihoods by helping agricultural workers continue their work safely and sustainably.

In Michigan, that mission often begins with a conversation.

For Derly, the change was practical and immediate. Pain that once interfered with daily responsibilities became manageable. He remained in his leadership role. He continued maintaining the systems that keep the dairy running efficiently.

For others, the change may be quieter. A shift completed with less strain. A better understanding of how to protect their joints. The confidence to speak up early when something feels wrong.

Agricultural work has always valued endurance and independence. Andrea’s work reinforces another kind of strength: knowing when to adjust, when to support the body differently, and when to accept help that keeps you moving forward.

On farms across Michigan, those small adjustments protect both people and productivity.

And for many workers, they begin with something simple and powerful: being understood.