A Michigan asparagus grower says mandated wage increases by the Department of Labor are not sustainable and threaten the industry. Fourth-generation farmer Nick Ooman of Hart tells Brownfield the cost of the H-2A seasonal farm worker program, including this year’s nearly 13 percent wage increase, application fees, along with housing and transportation, puts the U.S. at a disadvantage.
“It’s hard to compete when we’re when we’re paying $17.00 an hour and we’re competing against Mexico and Peru, who are paying, you know, far less than that,” he explains. Ooman says he’s also having to absorb higher input costs while retail prices remain the same.
Source: brownfieldagnews.com