The question that is on top of mind for local growers is whether or not they will be able to continue growing fresh cherries and fruits alike, or tap out to rising employment costs and growing foreign imports.
In 2023, Michigan farmers employed over 15,000 H-2A workers — the sixth-highest total in the nation — to hand harvest the state’s specialty crops. Leelanau represent a small number of the 15,000, but is one of the areas that need them the most.
The going hourly rate for H-2A workers is causing Leelanau farmers headaches and questioning the future.
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