Michigan’s fertile soils, moderate climate, abundance of water, and innovative production technologies help our farmers grow a wide variety of fresh food products.  Our state leads the nation in the production of nine crops, and ranks fifth or higher in 28 crops.  Michigan’s food and agriculture industry adds $37 billion to the state’s economy annually, and is the leading growth industry in our state.  It’s true that Michigan produces over 125 raw commodities commercially, second in diversity only to California, but did you know that Michigan’s diversity increases tenfold by taking those raw commodities and adding value to them through further processing, agriculture tourism and marketing?

Value-added agriculture can be something as simple as making maple candy from Michigan maple syrup or as complicated as building an ethanol facility to process Michigan corn into a source of clean fuel to power our cars and trucks. Value-added agriculture also includes the annual trip you and your family make to a local farm to pick pumpkins or apples.  In fact, there are hundreds of ways to add value to Michigan commodities from the farm gate to your dinner plate.

At the Farm:

Agriculture, when combined with tourism and recreation, provides farmers with a unique opportunity to increase and financially strengthen their family farm operations. Agriculture tourism, in a nutshell, can be described as events and activities with an agriculture theme that attract travelers and tourists. On the farm, these agriculture tourism activities include farm markets and U-pick operations, bed and breakfasts, cider mills, choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms, greenhouses, herb farms, petting farms, and more. 

For many, a visit to an on-farm activity or event has become a family tradition, and helps remind us of our state’s agriculture heritage and roots.  At the same time, these activities bring a value-added source of income to our state’s farm families. For example, instead of offering Michigan apples for sale at a local grocery store, the farmer offers for sale the experience of visiting the apple orchard to pick apples as a family activity, with maybe a horse-drawn wagon ride along the way. Click here for directories of Michigan farm markets and U-pick operations.

At the Processor:

Fresh fruits and vegetables are wonderful in season, and with value-added processing, you can enjoy Michigan commodities year-round.  Take, for instance, the Michigan cherry.  Michigan grows more red tart cherries than any other state, and ranks number four nationally in the production of sweet cherries.  Our cherry crop is so famous that the International Cherry Festival is held each year in Traverse City, Michigan, also known as the Cherry Capital of the World.  Michigan cherries can be processed and enjoyed as dried cherries, which were invented at Michigan State University, or as cherry pie filling, maraschino cherries, cherry juice, chocolate-covered cherries, low-fat cherry burger and sausage (also invented in Michigan), cherry salsa, and much more. 

Other examples of value-added Michigan commodities include: asparagus guacamole (a low-fat version made with asparagus); Pioneer or Big Chief brands of sugar, made from Michigan sugarbeets; and soy ink, made from Michigan soybeans.  

At the Retailer:

If you are looking to buy a product, any product, chances are you can find a version of that product grown or processed right here in Michigan.  From fresh fruits and vegetables to processed specialty foods like pastas, sauces, baking mixes and more, Michigan’s variety and quality can’t be matched.

Michigan has a nationally recognized reputation for high standards and quality products.  And, research shows that if a product is identified as coming from Michigan, Michigan consumers are more likely to buy it.  In our state, you can “Select Michigan” for great taste and fresh quality, while helping to grow our state’s economy. 

The Select Michigan brand identification program and the locally grown and organic promotional campaign, “Select a Taste of Michigan,” provide tools for farmers, processors and retailers to add value to their Michigan products by identifying them as grown or processed in our state. 

Your Dinner Plate:

The final destination for Michigan food products is, of course, as part of a delicious meal.  Many Michigan restaurants add value to the foods they prepare and serve by using fresh and processed Michigan products, and by serving local, regional or Michigan specialties. 

Imagine visiting your favorite restaurant where the chef has prepared a meal of blackened Michigan whitefish, with fresh-picked Michigan asparagus, Michigan potatoes au gratin, and a salad made with a variety of fresh Michigan greens and Michigan dried cherries, all served with wine produced at one of Michigan’s 47 wineries. Adding value can be a taste-tempting experience!

You can also add value to your own culinary creation at home, using fresh and processed Michigan food products. Click here to try some of our favorite Michigan recipes.

As you can see, from the farm gate to your dinner plate, value-added agriculture, through processing of fresh commodities, agriculture tourism and marketing, helps make Michigan the Great Lakes, Great Tastes state.