Skyrocketing labor costs threaten the future of Michigan’s fruit and vegetable sector
LANSING, Mich. (May 22, 2024) – Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu today thanked members of the Michigan Congressional delegation who voiced bipartisan support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) at 2023 levels through 2025. The Members of Congress were among 120 total U.S. Representatives – Democrats and Republicans – calling for this sorely-needed action in a joint letter. The letter is available here.
HART, Mich. – Amid Michigan’s asparagus harvest season, Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu joined Jamie Clover Adams, Executive Director of the Michigan Asparagus Association to spotlight the urgent need for reform of high labor costs facing Michigan specialty crop farmers.
“Skyrocketing labor costs driven by an unrealistic, unsustainable federal government calculation pose a critical threat to the future of Michigan fruit and vegetable production,” said Lippstreu. “Rural businesses and communities in West Michigan and across our state depend on a thriving specialty crop sector. Unfortunately, runaway costs created by a broken U.S. Department of Labor program threaten the future of this industry. We thank the bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress who have supported a freeze of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, and we continue to call for lasting reform of this broken system.”
MABA announced the opening of registration for its 2024 Outlook Conference on Mackinac Island.
“This long-running event is a unique opportunity to bring together leaders spanning Michigan, Midwest and U.S. agriculture,” said MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “This event also showcases a cross-section of our industry. In addition to bringing together leaders who from across the full spectrum of Michigan agriculture, we enjoy welcoming attendees who serve in many different roles and are at different places on their career journey. It’s what continues to make the Outlook Conference a truly unique opportunity for networking and in-depth discussion about what the future holds for agriculture, all in a one-of-a-kind location.”
Now in its 27th year, the Outlook Conference brings together approximately 150-200 leaders of agricultural businesses, along with senior government and NGO partners, for a weekend of discussion about the future of the agricultural industry. The conference is intended to provide insight and facilitate discussion on large-scale industry trends to help inform leaders as they chart a path forward for their businesses. The conference is useful for anyone who wants to gain more in-depth insights into key drivers of the agricultural economy.
This year, the Outlook Conference returns to a Friday-Sunday weekend format. The event begins Friday evening, September 6, concluding in the afternoon on Sunday, September 8.
Conference events are closed to members of the media.
For questions, contact any member of the MABA staff or email maba@miagbiz.org.
As always, we want to keep MABA members informed about some of your Association’s activities during recent weeks!
Before we dive into events, importantly, this spring has included a major focus from MABA on upgrading and growing our member services. We detailed several of the new steps we have announced at a post here on our website. These include the launch of a new website, the ability to get the AgFacts via text message, enhanced online invoicing and the availability of a new Member Portal.
Here is a rundown of some other events and activities the past month:
Member company resources on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Throughout April and May, MABA has strived to deliver timely updates and useful resources for members amid the expanded outbreak of HPAI. We encourage all members, even those not in the poultry and dairy industries, to visit www.miagbiz.org/HPAI for fact sheets and other resources geared toward member businesses.
MABA member company hosts Agriculture Secretary, Member of Congress: On April 26, Jorgensen Farm Elevator hosted a roundtable discussion with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. Several MABA members were in attendance at this event. Thank you to these leaders for spotlighting mid-Michigan agriculture!
Member Services Director Kara Boring joins announcement events at AgroLiquid, King Milling Company: We had an opportunity to help mark two key announcements by MABA members during the month of April. On April 10, King Milling Company kicked off operations at their new flour mill in Lowell, MI. Then on April 15, leaders of The Fertilizer Institute presented the first-ever Certified Biostimulant award to AgroLiquid in St. Johns. Learn more about the Certified Biostimulant program here: tfi.org/biostimulant.
Lippstreu, MABA leaders join MSU groundbreakings: Earlier in April, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu, 1st Vice Chair John Tilt and many MABA member company representatives were on hand for groundbreaking events marking the construction of MSU’s new Plant Science Greenhouses and Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. These needed investments stand to maintain MSU as a global leader in agricultural research, education and innovation, and will advance Michigan agriculture for decades to come. Read more here.
Eastern Market Corporation hosts April Ag Club Breakfast: We appreciated leaders from Eastern Market for hosting the Lansing Ag Club Breakfast in mid-April. Eastern Market Corporation is a long-time MABA member and a great partner for Michigan agriculture. We encourage you to mark your calendar for Ag Club events during the summer and fall! See below or visit www.miagbiz.org/events for more information.
Upcoming Events
June 18, 2024 – Scholarship Golf Outing, Mt. Pleasant; the course is full but hole sponsorships and dinner tickets remain available!
July 23, 2024 – Detroit Ag Club Breakfast, Eastern Market; join us Tuesday, July 23 at 9:00 AM for this first-of-its-kind Ag Club Breakfast!
For a full event calendar, visit www.miagbiz.org/events.
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