H-2A Guestworker Program Adverse Effect Wage Methodology Updated
- Newsroom
- Oct 6
- 1 min read
OKEMOS, MI – October 6, 2025. Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced updates to the AEWR methodology. The Protect Our Produce Coalition issued the following statement:
“We appreciate that the Department of Labor recognized the urgency facing Michigan’s multigenerational fruit and vegetable farms in releasing a new AEWR methodology rule. For the past 14 months, the Protect Our Produce Coalition has worked to share the real-world stories of growers and highlight how escalating wage rates have threatened not only farm businesses, but also their workers and rural communities. A recent North Carolina State study showed that if AEWR increases had simply tracked the Social Security COLA between 2012–2022, labor costs would have been far more manageable – demonstrating the need for policies that balance fair wages with the long-term viability of American specialty crop production.”
Media Contact:
About Protect Our Produce
Protect Our Produce was established in 2024 to create awareness about the negative impact the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) provision is having on Michigan fruit and vegetable growers and Michigan’s fruit and vegetable economy. The annual, mandated rise in AEWR levels has made family farms unprofitable and many are choosing to opt out of production of hand-picked vegetables such as asparagus, squashes and other key fruits and vegetables grown in Michigan. The coalition was started by Michigan Asparagus and members include Michigan Asparagus, Michigan Farm Bureau, Potato Growers of Michigan, Michigan State Horticultural Society, Michigan Vegetable Council, Michigan Blueberry Commission, Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, Michigan Apple Committee, Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee, Greenstone Farm Credit Services and Michigan Agribusiness Association.
Comments