Comments on: SUCCESS STORY: Michigan agriculture continues to grow

By: Cheryl Abduljabar

Cheryl Abduljabar — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:18:58 +0000

Please jon us at Grown in Michigan http://www.growninmichigan.ning.com
We are up and running… “Your One Stop” for Agriculture products. Let’s Grow!

By: Alfred Boggs

Alfred Boggs — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:42:54 +0000

This is a very good article but I would like to know how much we could increase the 71.3 billion by have more processing done here in Michigan. What percentage of our agriculture production is shipped out of the state for processing? How much is brought back for sale here?

By: Larry

Larry — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:10:19 +0000

There is so much misinformation in VOR1994 post that I couldn’t stomach it. Most farms in MI are family farms that plan to pass their farms onto children and grandchildren, why would farmers want to pollute them or make them unsustainable? Yes, some of those family farms are “big” farms, that’s how they sustain families. Those “big” farms produce about 80% of the food we consume. It is simply untrue that you have to sign up to buy chemicals to get a loan. Farmers are the original enviromentalist, they are not polluters!

By: VOR1994

VOR1994 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:03:51 +0000

Farming & Agriculture will definitely play a key role in Michigan’s future. I love farming & support local agriculture.

However, Michigan is suffering from Industrial Agriculture polluting our streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Industrial Agriculture should occur responsibly with the same regulation of pollution as other industries.

I don’t like drinking or swimming in Atrazine and other pesticides banned in Europe. I also dislike seeing millions of gallons of manure mismanaged. Michigan’s government should work with responsible farmers to help keep farming sustainable and protect our health.

Currently, the farm lobby is shielding this industry from regulation, to the detriment of everyone, accept irresponsible polluting corporations & “cheap food”. Farmers often can’t get a loan unless they sign up to use their chemicals. Family farms and responsible farmers suffer, as chemical corporations and polluting mega farms reap the benefits. What good is cheap milk if it contaminates our drinking water? What good is cheap corn if Atrazine, causes behavioral problems and birth defects in our babies?

I hope that our elected officials support responsible farmers, who often our stewards of the land.