Michigan asparagus and agribusiness leaders are calling for reform of the wage rates for H-2A guest worker program.
Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu recently joined Jamie Clover Adams, executive director of the Michigan Asparagus Association, to spotlight the urgent need for reform of high labor costs facing Michigan specialty crop farmers, according to a news release.
“Skyrocketing labor costs driven by an unrealistic, unsustainable federal government calculation pose a critical threat to the future of Michigan fruit and vegetable production,” Lippstreu said in the release. “Rural businesses and communities in West Michigan and across our state depend on a thriving specialty crop sector. Unfortunately, runaway costs created by a broken U.S. Department of Labor program threaten the future of this industry. We thank the bipartisan coalition of members of Congress who have supported a freeze of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, and we continue to call for lasting reform of this broken system.”
Lippstreu and Clover Adams discussed the issue during a tour of Herrygers Farms, where they met with Caleb Herrygers, a fourth-generation farmer growing tart cherries, apples and asparagus in Oceana County, the release said.
The Michigan Agri-Business Association says it and many Michigan agricultural organizations have lauded the Supporting Farm Operations Act (HR 7046), led by U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., which would freeze the AEWR until the end of 2025, the release said. This move would be especially important for farmers in Michigan, which has one of the highest rates in the country, the release said.
“Michiganders are proud of our asparagus industry, one of the many incredible and unique facets of Michigan agriculture, but it’s simple math: Federal wage rate standards have put growers on an unsustainable path,” Clover Adams said in the release. “For Michigan to continue producing fresh, healthy, affordable asparagus for families across Michigan, this issue must be addressed without delay.”
This year, the USDA reports season-to-date Michigan asparagus shipments through May 11 totaled 730,000 pounds, down from about 1.06 million pounds the same time a year ago. Total shipments of Michigan asparagus totaled 15.81 million pounds in 2023, according to the USDA. That was up from 580,000 pounds shipped in 2022 and up from 870,000 pounds shipped in 2021, the USDA said.
Average weekly price per carton for Michigan asparagus in 2023:
- May 20 — $41.
- May 27 — $39.50.
- June 3 — $36.25.
- June 10 — $36.75.
- June 17 — $40.25.
- June 24 — $60.75.
- July 1 — $65.75.
