Michigan nursery growers are facing significant labor challenges , according to anewly published reportby the MSU Department of Agricultural , Food and Resource Economics ( AFRE).The study , conducted through sketch response from 45 glasshouse floriculture producers across 11 Michigan counties , provides crucial insights into labor shortages , H-2A visa employment and the adoption of Labour Party - saving technologies .
Labor shortage impacting greenhouse capacity . A key determination of the report is that 45 % of greenhouse operators could not encounter the labor demand necessary to melt their surgical process at full capacitance . On average , these businesses faced a 31 % DoL shortfall , limiting productiveness and profitability . This deficit underline the need for innovative solution to speak workforce constraints in the industry .
H-2A Visa use remains limited but holds potential . Despite the increase national reliance on the H-2A visa course of study for farming labor , only 33 % of survey Michigan glasshouse growers reported use H-2A worker in 2023 . While some Farmer expressed interest in using the program , barrier such as high wages and housing costs deter involvement . Others prioritise rent local worker first but acknowledge that H-2A could be a viable option if domestic labor shortage persist .
Technology espousal help ease labor challengesTo mitigate men shortages , 39 % of respondents describe integrate labour - save technology into their operations . Most of these investments be under $ 100,000 , and 60 % of those who implement such engineering science line up that they effectively reduced task needs — by an average of 5 % . Additionally , 40 % of raiser modified their product mix to depleted labor price , further demonstrating adaptive strategies to overcome workforce constraints .
H-2A Department of Labor : high toll , higher productivityThe study also examine the productivity and cost differences between H-2A and non - H-2A employee . While H-2A labor was reported to be more expensive — averaging 41 % higher cost — grower noted that these workers were also more productive . In fact , 60 % of respondents employ H-2A actor posit that they were more efficient than their domestic opposite number . This productivity premium intimate that , despite higher costs , H-2A labor can offer substantial operational welfare .
address the future of nursery laborAs labor famine hold on , Michigan greenhouse growers are exploring a variety of strategies to keep their businesses . Whether through increase H-2A participation , technical onward motion , or product mix adjustments , cultivator are actively seeking solutions to remain competitive in an evolving labor market .
Source : Michigan State University
