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AFBF explores solutions to trade concerns

American Farm Bureau Federation is searching for solutions for specialty crop growers impacted by trade issues.

Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski tells Brownfield efforts to stop import dumping have met dead ends and their organization is identifying what next steps can be made to support farmers.

“And see what we could do to help those individuals that are so frustrated that they want to go out of the business,” he says.

American Farm Bureau’s Trade Advisory Committee recently visited Michigan to learn about import issues impacting specialty crop growers. Bednarski says depressed markets because of import competition during the domestic season and extremely high labor costs were consistent themes.

“How can we best help them lower their cost of production?” he asks.  “If we can’t do it by trade agreements, how can we do it by helping them with labor?”

He expects new policy recommendations from the organization to focus on reducing specialty crop cost pressures like offsetting the cost of housing.