MSU researcher studies labor shortages in agriculture

Added on 19 December 2024

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MSU researcher studies labor shortages in agriculture

Zach Rutledge, assistant professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. Courtesy of Michigan State University

Michigan State University agricultural economist Zach Rutledge has received a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to examine labor challenges in the U.S. agricultural sector and potential policy solutions.

A Michigan State University agricultural economist has been awarded a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) to evaluate labor challenges affecting the U.S. food supply chain and identify potential policy options to alleviate them.

Zach Rutledge, an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, has studied issues relating to labor scarcity in the agricultural sector over the past several years.

He said as the U.S.-based agricultural workforce — immigrant and nonimmigrant workers settled within the country — continues aging and declining in number, farmers have had to make changes in their production practices, including implementing new technology on farms and contracting workers through third parties.