ADOPTED
-
Agenda Item No. 19
Introduced by the
INGHAM
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF JULY
AS A
RESOLUTION #04-206
WHEREAS
Michigan is one of the nation=s most diverse agricultural states growing over 100
commercial crops, second only to California in variety; and
WHEREAS
for nearly 100 years, hardworking farm worker men and women have helped
cultivate our soil, work our land, and sustain and grow Michigan=s agricultural economy and the state=s urban and rural areas; and
WHEREAS
Michigan 6th leading user of migrant and seasonal labor in the country,
involved in the production and harvest of over 45 crops whose estimated state
total field value is $2.5 billion; and
WHEREAS
the Michigan=s economy gained $34 million in Federal government
transfer payments for programs to service the migrant and seasonal farm worker
population in the state; and
WHEREAS,
264
WHEREAS,
migrant farm workers spend about half of their season=s earnings in rural and urban communities across
WHEREAS,
the weekly earnings of all Michigan farm workers and of migrant farm workers
equal 69% and 57% respectively of the earnings of U.S. wage and salary workers;
and
WHEREAS,
farm workers are excluded from many state and federal labor laws, work in one
of the most hazardous industries, and suffer some of the worst working and
living conditions of any group of workers in the state; and
WHEREAS,
for over half a century migrant farm workers have been making Ingham County their home and have become productive members
of our communities and neighborhoods; and
THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham
County Board of Commissioners hereby designates the month of July as AMichigan Farm Worker Appreciation Month@ in
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board appreciates the
contributions
Nays: None Absent: None Approved