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Fruit, vegetable growers contend changes to wage structure are direFruit, vegetable growers contend changes to wage structure are dire

The Protect Our Produce Coalition gathers 1,425 signatures, urging President Donald Trump to update federal labor policies.

January 22, 2025

2 Min Read
A pile of strawberries
WAGE STRUCTURE: Outdated federal labor policies are driving U.S. growers out of business, says Michigan’s Protect Our Produce Coalition. Jennifer Kiel

The Protect Our Produce Coalition delivered a petition Jan. 15 with 1,425 signatures to President Donald Trump, urging decisive action to preserve domestic fruit and vegetable production and protect America's food supply.

Outdated federal labor policies are driving U.S. growers out of business, the group contends. The incoming administration has the opportunity to strengthen the H-2A guestworker program, which is vital to U.S. food production, POPC adds.

Rising labor costs — accounting for nearly 40% of specialty crop farm expenses, according to USDA — are further threatening fruit and vegetable growers. The petition calls on Trump to adjust the adverse effect wage rate to reflect fair and sustainable wages that support both workers and growers.

Without these changes, American consumers will face higher costs due to increased imports, especially as many continue to struggle with elevated food prices. Additionally, U.S.-grown produce adheres to the highest safety and quality standards. A decline in domestic production would jeopardize food security and consumer health.

H-2A guestworkers are essential to the planting, tending and harvesting of U.S. fruits and vegetables due to the shortage of domestic workers willing to perform farm labor. This program must be maintained and modernized to meet current and future challenges, according to POPC.

Michigan grower Bill Schwass of Springdale Farms emphasized the stakes. “Without H-2A workers, our farm couldn’t harvest our crops,” he says. “Without domestic production, hand-harvested vegetables will come from other countries, which isn’t what Americans want.”

Elizabeth Pauls of Wittenbach Orchards adds, “Apples are entirely harvested by hand. Rising H-2A costs are concerning — how will we afford this in the future? Growing food for Americans is a blessing, and I don’t want to lose that.”

Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industry contributes nearly $6 billion to the state economy and supports more than 40,000 jobs across the supply chain. Losing these farms would have devastating consequences for local businesses, employees and consumers alike.

Founded in 2024, Protect Our Produce is led by Michigan Asparagus and includes partners such as Michigan Farm Bureau, Potato Growers of Michigan, Michigan State Horticultural Society, Michigan Vegetable Council, Michigan Blueberry Commission, Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, Cherry Marketing Institute, Michigan Apple, Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee, and Michigan Agribusiness Association.

For more information about the coalition and the challenges facing Michigan growers, visit protectourproduce.com.

Source: POPC

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