Proclamation offers opportunity to celebrate the state’s food & agriculture industries

March 17 , 2011

LANSING – As part of National Agriculture Week, Governor Rick Snyder today proclaimed March 17, 2011 as “Michigan Agriculture Day.”

March signifies a national celebration of the importance of agriculture in the United States and offers the state an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the diversity and abundance provided by Michigan’s 56,000 farmers and the growing food and agriculture sector.

“Michigan’s farmers not only provide us with food and fiber, but have laid the foundation for a dynamic food and agriculture industry which now contributes $71.3 billion to our state's economy each year,” said Snyder. “I encourage you to join me in recognizing the importance of the state’s food and agricultural industry, and to support it as much as possible.”

“From the small cottage food entrepreneur to a multi-national corporation, Michigan offers food-based businesses tremendous growth opportunity,” said Keith Creagh, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Michigan Agriculture Day gives us a chance to appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing us safe food and its place as a vital component to both maintaining and building a strong economic foundation in our state and the world.”

Michigan is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation producing more than 200 commodities on a commercial basis and ranks fourth in the nation for farmers markets. It is also home to more than 70 wineries and dozens of micro-breweries.

Additionally, production agriculture, food processors, and related business employ approximately one million Michiganians.

Michigan Agriculture Facts:

• The state leads the nation in the production of 18 commodities, including tart cherries, blueberries, three kinds of dry beans (black, cranberry and small red), 11 floriculture products (including flowering hanging baskets, geraniums, petunias and impatiens), and cucumbers for pickles. Michigan also ranks in the top 10 for 30 other commodities.
• Michigan has about 10 million acres of farmland, and the state is home to 56,014 farms averaging 179 acres each. More than 90 percent of Michigan farmland is owned by families or individuals and there has been significant growth in the number of small farms over the past few years.
• Michigan exports about one-third of its agricultural commodities each year, generating more than $1 billion and supporting nearly 13,000 jobs.
• Michigan is home to 1,588 licensed food processors, employs more than 130,000 residents, and generates nearly $25 billion in economic activity making the state 19th in the nation for food processing.

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