BARODA, Mich. — Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell joined Matthew Moersch, CEO and Partner of Moersch Hospitality Group, and Joshua Appleby a verifier with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), to celebrate Michigan Food and Agriculture Month at Round Barn Estate in Baroda. The event featured the official unveiling of the 2020 Michigan Agriculture magazine.
“Governor Whitmer has declared March Food and Agriculture Month to recognize the importance of the food and ag community to our state, and we’re excited to kick off the celebration here at Round Barn Estate,” said McDowell. “As part of the celebration, we are happy to unveil this year’s edition of Michigan Agriculture magazine at a farm that highlights the power of partnerships, the theme of this year’s magazine, and takes pride in managing its soil and water resources to protect the environment.”
The cover story highlight’s MAEAP, a unique partnership among Michigan farmers, MDARD and technicians from conservation districts, which helps implement and maintain environmentally sound practices on our state’s farms. The cover photo features Moersch and Appleby examining conditions in Round Barn’s vineyard. Appleby is the MAEAP verifier who has worked in partnership with Moersch and a conservation district MAEAP technician to review and enhance the farm practices at Round Barn and other farms in Southwest Michigan, ensuring good environmental stewardship.
“Getting our vineyards verified helped showcase our commitment to enhancing our existing sustainable practices,” said Moersch. “Partnering with a MAEAP technician and verifier, and the advice we received along the way, made the entire verification process a breeze.”
Moersch Hospitality Group owns and operates Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery; Round Barn Brewery and Public House restaurant; Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant; and Free Run Cellars, with locations and tasting rooms in Baroda, Berrien Springs, Union Pier, Coloma, Buchanan, and Bridgman.
Michigan’s food and agriculture businesses contribute more than $104.7 billion annually to the state’s economy and is a major source of employment for the state’s workforce, supporting approximately 805,000 jobs, roughly 17.2 percent of the state’s workforce.
Additionally, Michigan’s food and agriculture industry, one of the most diverse in the country, boasts nearly 50,000 farms (99 percent of which are family-owned), farming nearly 10 million acres of farmland and commercially, producing more than 300 commodities.
This is the seventh edition of Michigan Agriculture, a full-color, high-quality magazine produced by Farm Flavor Media and MDARD. The magazine is available online at http://www.MIagriculture.com. Hard copies are available at Michigan Welcome Centers, MSU Extension Offices, Conservation District Offices, select businesses, and many consumer events across the state.
— Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
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