Press Releases & Blogs

The U.S. Department of Labor’s new rule to modernize how the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is calculated is an important and welcome step. For the first time in years, the rule aligns farm wages more closely with real economic trends and introduces a more balanced, skill-based approach. Growers are grateful for this progress -- but history shows that these gains can vanish with the next change in administration. Over the past two decades, AEWR policy has swung like a pendul

OKEMOS, MI – October 6, 2025.   Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced updates to the AEWR methodology.  The Protect Our...

Across the country, fruit and vegetable farmers are sounding the alarm about rising labor costs. While producers have long managed the...

Michigan’s specialty crop industry—spanning apples, asparagus, cherries, blueberries, cucumbers, broccoli, squash and more—is an economic...

H-2A guestworkers are essential  to the planting, tending, and harvesting of U.S. fruits and vegetables. Federal policymakers must...

Dear Editor,   As proud fruit and vegetable growers in Michigan, my family has worked hard to provide safe, affordable and healthy food...

Dear Editor of the Battle Creek Enquirer,    As a proud fruit and vegetable grower in SW Michigan, my family has worked to provide safe,...

November 7, 2024 The Honorable Gary Peters United States Senate Washington, DC 20510   Dear Senator Peters:   We are writing to express...

As a food bank that serves thousands of individuals and families across the state, we have long relied on the generosity of local...

The Protect Our Produce coalition met with U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga (MI-04) to discuss the negative impact the escalating AEWR.

“Michigan Grown” could be an option of the past if government wage policies continue to push Michigan growers to breaking point Coalition...