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Michigan Farm Bureau calls for H-2A wage freeze

Michigan Farm Bureau says possible H-2A guest worker wage increases will likely cause more farms to stop producing specialty crops next year.

John Kran tells Brownfield hourly rates required by the program have increased more than 60 percent in the last decade and it’s unsustainable for farmers.

“If we don’t get this addressed soon, we’re going to be bleeding a lot of fruit and vegetable growers across the state and frankly across the country,” he says.
He says the results of USDA’s latest Farm Labor Report will likely increase 2024 H-2A pay by six percent to $18.50.

The organization is calling on Congress to freeze wage increases until a longer-term solution can be made and support the Farm Operations Support Act.

“What other wages in any other sector of the economy have gone up at that type of a pace?” he asks. “And on top of that, if you’re using H-2A workers, you’re providing housing and transportation.”

He says seven members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation are co-sponsoring the bill, more than any other state. Michigan is the sixth largest user of the program nationally, with 13,500 approved positions in 2022.