KALAMAZOO, MI (WHTC) – Michigan’s second crop of the year is Maple Syrup. It’s second crop is Asparagus.
John Baker with the Michigan Asparagus Advisory board says a lot of it is going to go to waste because they can’t find the people willing to go out in the fields and pick it. Baker says they have been struggling with having enough labor in the years past but that this year seems to be the worst they have seen.
Baker says locals won’t do the work and changes in immigration laws have made it more difficult to get migrant workers.
The Harvest season lasts seven weeks. This would be a prime year to produce a lot of asparagus and still expect to get a goodprice for it, because the largest producer, California is experiencing a sever drought.
If they can’t find pickers they just mow down the stalks that get too long and stringy and wait for the next crop, and hope more field workers are found.
