A former director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture estimates there are about five years before farm labor cost pressures decrease the state’s crop diversity.
Jamie Clover Adams tells Brownfield there will be widespread consequences if production costs aren’t reigned in and rural communities are at risk.
“When you have fewer acres of specialty crops, you don’t need as many freezers, canners, and fresh packers, then you don’t need as many of those businesses who all pay taxes and support local communities and schools,” she shares.
