News

Michigan Department of Ag seeking input on housing

The Michigan Department of Agriculture has created a new task force on food and ag housing to help address hired labor needs in the industry.

The committee will be holding six regional meetings throughout February and March to access housing needs and issues and is offering a survey to gain feedback on how the department can provide solutions.

USDA says nationally hired labor in agriculture increased more than 40 percent from 2003 to 2016 while the H2A labor program continues to receive a record number of requests.

Separately, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity this week also announced an 86-cent increase for temporary ag workers in the state raising the hourly rate for employees in 2020 to $14.40 because of a revised Adverse Effect Wage Rate national increase.  Housing many times is provided for these employees as well.