(NC) With a climate that varies as much between summer and winter as Canada’s, we have a lot of seasonal jobs in our country. Lawn maintenance or snow removal are common examples. A lot of jobs in Canada’s food production system are seasonal too.

That’s one of the many reasons that Ontario fruit and vegetable growers hire more than 20,000 seasonal workers to help them grow and harvest the more than 120 fruit and vegetable crops grown in the province.

These workers come to Canada through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, which was first launched in 1966, or the Temporary Foreign Worker program. It is common for many to return to the same farm year after year, where their experience and skills make them valued members of the farming business.

It’s this opportunity to earn more money than they could at home that brings most workers here. And even though it’s hard to be away from home for long periods of time, they say they find ways to keep busy when they’re not working.

Mexican migrant farm worker Paulino Espinobarros Velazquez brings his trumpet with him when he comes to Ontario for his job at a greenhouse in Kingsville and he tries to play every day. Errol Mitchell, who has been coming to Canada from Jamaica annually for more than 15 years, loves to listen to music and cook, including for his co-workers.

And, every August, the Farms of Norfolk Football Tournament in Simcoe brings together teams of international farm workers for a day of friendly soccer competition and cultural connection. Similar tournaments are held in Lambton County and in the Leamington area.

“Football is everything for me,” says Siven Smith, who is a physical education teacher at home in Jamaica. “Knowing that we work hard and can get to enjoy ourselves – this is where we relax, calm our mind. My favourite part was scoring goals and being successful.”

Learn more about international farm workers at morethanamigrantworker.ca.