February 12, 2008

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today kicked off the search for the “2007 Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year” from within the state’s growing agriculture industry. Applications will be accepted until March 21, 2008, with the top exporter receiving recognition at an event to be announced at a later date.

“Michigan’s large and small agricultural exporters are expanding trade markets with every shipment of the state’s quality products,” said Don Koivisto, MDA director. “In 2007, Michigan agricultural exports were over $1 billion dollars.”

Michigan is second in the nation for agricultural diversity and exports one-third of its agricultural commodities every year. In 2006, Michigan food and agriculture exports generated $1.1 billion for the state’s economy and employed 13,800 people.

The “2007 Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year” application requests background information on the company and its products, the percentage growth of company exports, and the companies’ export destinations. To be eligible, a company’s products must be over 50 percent grown, processed, or manufactured in Michigan. Companies with headquarters in other states, but production facilities in Michigan, are invited to apply on the basis of their Michigan-made exports.

The 2006 Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year honors went to Cooperative Elevator Company of Pigeon for their dedication and success in exporting Michigan dry beans to countries around the world, and especially for their work in the Mexican market.

Applications for both large (over 500 employees) and small (500 employees and less) are due to the MDA’s International Marketing Program by March 21, 2008. Self-nominations by companies are encouraged. A panel will review applications and present recommendations to the MDA director for a final decision.

For more information, please contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers, International Marketing Program Manager, at 517-241-3628 or by email at zmitkoj@michigan.gov.