FARMS and CanAg Travel hire new executive director and general manager

Robert Shuh, chair of Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (FARMS) has announced new operational leaders at FARMS and CanAG Travel. 

Berenice Vega, the new executive director, will lead the organization’s overall strategic direction, employer relationships, and continued delivery of services. Spanish-speaking Vega has been with FARMS for three years, liaising closely with the Mexican government. She has been in charge of transitioning 1,300 farm employers from paper to digital LMIAs. Karem Rivas joined the organization as general manager on July 20, to oversee day-to-day operations and support staff across FARMS and CanAg Travel. Born in Chile, she has a background in both public and private sectors internationally. 

To date in 2026, the agency has welcomed 14,635 workers to Ontario under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. That’s almost a thousand fewer workers (15,627) than a year ago for the same time frame. Numbers are down from Jamaica and Mexico, due to growers needing fewer workers under challenging weather conditions. 

“Together, they bring strong industry and operational knowledge, valuable experience, and a shared commitment to supporting Ontario’s agricultural employers and the workers who are so important to the sector,” says Shuh. “We are excited about this new chapter and the opportunities ahead to continue strengthening our services and relationships with employers.”