LANSING — Lt. Governor Brian Calley joined Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gordon Wenk and Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski in celebrating Michigan’s food and agriculture sector during the 14th annual Michigan Food and Agriculture Day at the Capitol. This year’s Food and Ag Day event featured 29 commodity organizations representing everything from apples and cherries, to nursery plants, dairy products and more.
“As we celebrate Ag Day and Michigan Food and Agriculture Month, it’s great to see so many of Michigan’s commodity organizations representing their growers here at the Capitol today,” Lt. Governor Calley said. “Our farm families and agri-businesses not only feed us — they are also key players in the state’s $101.2 billion food and ag sector, producing more than 300 agricultural commodities on 10 million acres of farmland.”
“We’re thrilled to be here today to recognize Michigan agriculture’s role in our state’s economy,” said Bednarski, a Tuscola County crop farmer. “From production to processing to retail, Michigan’s ag industry provides 923,000 jobs – that represents about 22 percent of the state’s employment — while also exporting about one-third of its agricultural commodities each year, creating nearly $2.8 billion in revenue.”
In addition, MDARD unveiled the 2018 edition of the Michigan Agriculture magazine. The fifth edition of the magazine focuses on “Growing Michigan Agriculture” featuring farm families and businesses across the state. The magazine also pays tribute to Women in Agriculture, with a cover story on Avalon Farms of Climax and Westview Orchards of Romeo, both multi-generational family farms owned and operated by women.
“We are very proud of this year’s edition of Michigan Agriculture magazine, which highlights farm families and businesses who strive each day to ‘Grow Michigan Agriculture’, and especially proud to unveil it at Ag Day at the Capitol,” said Wenk. “This is also a great opportunity to recognize the diversity and positive impact of our farm families and industry.”
The Michigan Agriculture magazine is available online at http://www.MIagriculture.com. It’s also available in hard copy at Michigan Welcome Centers, featured businesses and consumer events across the state.
— Michigan Department of Agriculture
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