Economic Impact of Agriculture
Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on December 8, 2014
Michigan’s agriculture industry contributes more than $90 billion annually to the state’s economy. Agriculture is the second largest industry in the state behind manufacturing. The agriculture industry employs more than 900,000 Michigan residents. According to the Michigan Farm Bureau, the states agriculture economy has been growing at a rate five times faster than the general economy. More than 200 commodities are produced in Michigan, making the state’s agriculture industry the second most diverse in the country behind California.
Our food and agriculture industry is constantly growing and evolving. Most recently, the state has a growing reputation as a producer of wine and craft beer. Michigan is now home to 107 wineries (up from 19 in 1998) and 131 craft breweries (5th highest in the country). Five (soon to be six) of those breweries are located right here in Marquette County. The craft beer industry has more than a $1 billion impact on the state’s economy.
In the U.P., we have 4,446 residents employed in the agriculture industry, 53% above the national average. Average earnings are $30,261 per year, $1,307 above the national average. Over the next ten years, jobs in this industry are expected to increase by 10.5% which is above both the state and national average. (Data pulled from Economic Modeling Specialists International)
Locally, the Marquette Food Co-op (MFC) and the U.P. Food Exchange (UPFE) are at the center of the food economy. The U.P. Food Exchange is a partnership created by MFC and MSU Extension with assistance from the Western U.P. Health Department to support the local food activity already taking place within the Upper Peninsula’s distinct regions (eastern, central, and western). UPFE serves as a resource portal for farmers, businesses, and individuals looking to connect with and actively participate in their local food system. The UPFE has a U.P. food and farm directory and an online marketplace for farmers to market and sell their products. They also host community education events and food summits and provide farmer education and training.
There are many benefits of a local food economy including jobs, economic development, community and social vitality, healthy individuals, environmental stewardship and farmland preservation. Beginning in 2015, The North Farm (a diversified vegetable farm focusing on organic production and season extension in northern climates) will be starting an Apprentice Farmer Program. The program is designed to reduce barriers or access for beginning farmers who are interested in starting their own farm business. For more information, visit www.msunorthfarm.org.
Each month we post “The Plowshare,” the U.P. Food Exchange’s newsletter, on our website. You can find that, along with other topics we are following, at www.marquette.org under Business Development and Connect to Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs. We realize this industry is extremely important to our region and will continue to stay informed. Contact our office (906-226-6591) if we can assist your business in any way or help connect you with the local agriculture community.
Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.
