By Sophia Lada
Capital News Service
As farmworkers from other states and countries come to work in Michigan, the need for safe and affordable off-farm housing options is becoming increasingly important, a recent task force report said.
To help address that problem, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has appointed a new Migrant Labor Housing Advisory Board to provide recommendations for safe and affordable housing for farmworkers.
The new board is made up of five agriculture seats, five migrant labor seats and four seats from other migrant agricultural worker-related organizations. It includes members from Manistee, Grand Rapids, Lake City, Holland and Suttons Bay.
Manistee resident among appointments to Migrant Labor Housing Advisory Board
Compiled by Michelle Graves, mgraves@pioneergroup.com
Feb. 10, 2021
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LANSING The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell appointed 14 members to the Migrant Labor Housing Advisory Board this month.
The appointees represent five agriculture seats, five migrant labor seats and four seats from other migrant agricultural worker related organizations.
The board will advise the department and the state on ways to alleviate obstacles in the development of adequate migrant labor housing throughout Michigan and improve conditions for the workers who are essential to Michigan’s agricultural sector. This may include recommendations on legislation or other measures.
cbleck@miningjournal.net
MARQUETTE Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell on Thursday unveiled the 2021 Food and Agriculture Housing Task Force report aimed at alleviating the challenges and impediments to having ample housing for the state’s food and agriculture business sector.
“COVID-19 has shone a bright light on the challenges for providing agriculture housing and the critical role our food and ag workers play in preserving our supply chain,” McDowell said. “The task force compiled public input, which will be used to help shape the group’s recommendations for food and agriculture housing while balancing the unique needs of each community.”