Agriculture
Michigan and Agriculture
Michigan is known as a manufacturing state and has a long history of innovation and manufacturing excellence in this sector of the economy. Michigan is lesser known for its agricultural production, but the agricultural industry ranks as one of the three top industries with the greatest impact on the state's economy. For instance, did you know that Michigan processes over 95% of the asparagus crop in the United States, or that we produce 70-75% of all tart cherries in the nation? Perhaps lesser known is that Michigan ranks first in the nation in the production of small red beans, cranberry beans, and black beans and is number two nationally in navy bean production. Other crops produced in Michigan such as corn, wheat, wine and grapes, and soybeans contribute heavily to agriculture's major impact to on the state's economy.
Because of the amount of crop and animal production in Michigan, there is an opportunity to capitalize on food processing opportunities in the state. Currently the economic impact of food processing in Michigan amounts to $24.97 billion and has seen a compound annual growth of 3.7% since 2002. Over that same period, food processing in Michigan has accounted for nearly a 20% increase of direct impact to Michigan's economy. The food processing industry in Michigan employs almost 134,000 workers and licenses 1,588 food processors. Because of this, Michigan ranks 19th nationally in food processing and because of the over 200 different commodities produced in the state, Michigan has earned the distinction of ranking second in the U.S. in terms of agricultural diversity. Not bad for a "manufacturing" state! Read more here for information regarding opportunities in Michigan's food processing industry.
Mecosta County's Agriculture Impact
The impact of agricultural production to the local Mecosta County economy is significant. According the the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), in 2009 the total market value of agriculture production in the county amounted to $72,652,000. This included both crop and livestock sales. In fact, Mecosta County leads the state in the number of hog and pig operations, is ranked number three in Michigan in the amount of potatoes grown as well as the number of dairy farms in the county, and ranks seventh out of 83 counties in Michigan in the total number of animal operations.
There were approximately 845 farms in Mecosta County in 2009, occupying about 114,715 acres. Key products raised in the county include corn, soy beans, and wheat; vegetables; fruit and tree nuts; dairy products; and other animal operations. Though not concentrated in any one location within the county, agriculture in its many forms contributes significantly to the economy of Mecosta County. Additional information regarding the impact of agriculture on the county can be found in the Michigan Department of Agriculture's profile here. For comparison purposes and to further understand Michigan's role nationally as well as the importance agriculture plays in the economy of the state as a whole, read the MDA's statewide profile here.
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