Federal government sues Mich. farm over housing

DOWAGIAC, Mich. (AP) -- The federal government is accusing a southwestern Michigan farm of failing to follow a 2010 agreement to improve housing for migrant workers. The Labor Department last week filed a petition for civil contempt in federal court. The government says Berrybrook Enterprises and owner Joe Hassle Sr. have failed to meet a number of conditions, from adequate water supplies to screens to rodent control. The complaint seeks compliance as well as fines to cover the cost of the follow-up investigation. Berrybrook attorney Stephanie Setterington declined to comment on the allegations but says the farm is committed to treating workers humanely. The farm is based in Dowagiac in Cass County, 45 miles southwest of Kalamazoo, but it also has camps in Van Buren County. The camps are licensed for hundreds of people. Published: Mon, Sep 3, 2012