Protect Our Produce
Protect Michigan’s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Economy
Coalition Members
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Federal Mandates Are
Driving Growers Out of Business
Mandated by the current government wage system for H-2A guestworkers, up to 55% of the average Michigan fruit and vegetable grower's total costs are labor. These rates are 46% higher than the state minimum wage, putting a strain on Michigan's growers.
What’s Happening?
The fresh produce industry in Michigan – a $6 billion industry employing 40,000 people – is on the brink of collapse. Mandated wage rates under the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) provision are broken and breaking Michigan’s economy. In the last decade, these outdated policies have forced 16,000 acres of fruits and vegetables in Michigan out of production. That’s the equivalent of 11,765 football fields. If we continue down this path, our produce industry could disappear from Michigan, forever.
The Facts
The Time Is Now To
#ProtectOurProduce
The Impact on Michigan Growers
It’s disheartening. As a father, you have two children that you’re proud of that you wanted to bring into industry, but you really struggle if it’s sustainable long term for them.
- Mike Wittenbach
Wittenbach Orchards | Belding, Michigan
I have three young boys. I’d love to see them be the fifth generation of the farm, but on the track we’re on right now, there won’t be any profitability left and I can’t ask them to maintain the heritage if it doesn’t make sense financially for them. I don’t want them to have to live that life.
- Caleb Herrygers
Herrygers Farms | Hart, Michigan
Growing food for America is such a blessing. I don’t want to give that up.
- Elizabeth Pauls
Wittenbach Orchards | Belding, Michigan
We have not replanted asparagus on our farm for three years now, and we’ve been growing asparagus since 1974. Labor has created an issue whether we’re going to continue to go down this road.
- Bill Schwass
Springdale Farms | Scottville, Michigan
The fact that it’s just rising at an unsustainable rate makes you question, ‘Did you make the right decision?’ or what’s a new decision that you need to make for your farm to be able to continue.”
- Adam Van Dyk
Van Dyk Farms | Imlay City, Michigan
The Time Is Now To
#ProtectOurProduce
Take Action
Stay up to date on our efforts by joining our mailing list. Show your support for locally-grown fruits and vegetables and shop seasonally to #ProtectOurProduce.