Winkel of Greg Orchards cites need for ag labor solution
Winkel of Greg Orchards cites need for ag labor solution
BENTON HARBOR, MI — Southwest Michigan is “truly a garden spot” within a state already known for its large commercial production of fruits and vegetables. Thus, here, with a wide diversity of crops, agricultural labor is of great concern to growers, said Barry Winkel, partner and general manager of Greg Orchards & Produce Inc.
Winkel said labor was scarce in late July for the blueberries and peaches being harvest at that time. “It is kind of scary” to look toward the future of agriculture, especially with this region investing millions of dollars in planting more apple — and other — orchards.
Greg Orchards & Produce Inc. sales staff Marilyn Redder and Char Bisbo with Barry Winkel, partner and general manager. “If we lack the labor to harvest the fruit it is all for naught,” he said. “I hope Congress soon does something. We need agricultural labor and we need to let people in without the fear of not coming back. Every industrial country uses immigrant laborers. Most of them here make $12 to $14 by the hour and a lot who work overtime get time and a half. In the field they get $16 to $18 and their housing for free.”
Unlike what may be a stereotype, “agriculture does not hire the cheapest people on the block,” Winkel noted. “People always think agriculture is run by country bumpkins who do not know anything. Well, they have millions of dollars in their land” and must have management expertise, he said.
Late this summer Greg Orchards was preparing for its food-safety audits. “You almost need a full-time guy. You need food safety but you’re got to use common sense” for imposing food-safety requirements, he said.
In the fields of southwest Michigan it has been a good growing season. “Our crops are as close to full crops as we get,” he said.
The Early Chief strain of Red Delicious will be shipped by Greg Orchards in the third week of September.
Red Delicious, Gold Delicious and Gala are the three major apple varieties shipped by Greg Orchards. “We are getting more Fuji apples,” Winkel added.
The firm ships to customers that are primarily located in the Midwest and Southeast, including Georgia, Alabama and the Nashville area.
Winkel observed that Michigan’s apple packers “work real well together. We buy from each other. We are staunch competitors, but we’re not stupid. We’re friendly competitors and we party good!”
