Statistics On Michigan Agriculture

I will be interviewing Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams about the agriculture business in Michigan today on the Live with Renk show.

Did you know the following food and agriculture statistics about Michigan farming? I found this on michigan.gov/mdard:

• The food and agriculture industry contributes $101.2 billion annually to the state’s economy.
• Michigan’s food and agriculture system is a large portion of this state’s workforce. Total employment resulting from this sector is 923,000 which accounts for about 22 percent of the state’s employment.
• Michigan produces over 300 commodities on a commercial basis including tart cherries, blueberries, dry beans, floriculture products, and cucumbers for pickles.
• Michigan farms and the commodities they produce account for $13 billion of the overall total.
• Field crops have the greatest economic impact at $5.72 billion, followed by livestock including dairy with an economic impact of $4.73 billion. The total economic impact of nursery and landscape production is $1.20 billion.  The economic impact of the fruit and vegetable production is $758 million and $673 million respectively.
• In 2012, Michigan exported nearly $3.2 billion of agricultural products to Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, China, and more.
• Soybean and soybean meal were Michigan’s largest export commodity in 2012 and valued at $802 million.
• There are about 10 million acres of farmland in Michigan and the state is home to 52,194 farms.
• The majority of principal operators of Michigan farms are male, however, 7,406 Michigan farms list themselves as having female principal operators.

Join me today at 9:06 a.m. to hear what the director has to say about Michigan agriculture on my show The Live with Renk show, which airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon, to let me know your thoughts at (269) 441-9595.

Or please feel free to start a discussion and write your thoughts in the comment section.