Michigan Ag Council Update
The Michigan Ag Council (MAC) is a coalition of several commodity organizations united to help connect farmers and consumers through education and communication campaigns. Thanks to support from GreenStone Farm Credit Services, the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, the Michigan Pork Producers Association, the Michigan Milk Producers Association and Michigan Farm Bureau, we have a few exciting projects in the works.
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MAC Link
Free, e-mail subscription newsletter which notifies readers of agricultural issues across the country. To join the 200 other subscribers, e-mail Dana Smith with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Also, include your name and e-mail address.
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Farmers Feed US
Ninety-day sweepstake program designed to engage consumers in learning more about Michigan agriculture while also registering to win “free groceries for a year.” Promotional TV ads were placed in the Detroit and Grand Rapids media markets while radio spots were utilized in Ann Arbor, Lansing and Saginaw. As a result, 200,026 people registered, 10,120 Michigan consumers “opted-in” for future information from Michigan farmers and 1,716 people became Facebook fans and Twitter followers. See which Michigan farmers were highlighted on the Michigan Farmers Feed US website.
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MI Foodie News
Consumer-oriented newsletter that features information about farmers, Michigan agricultural products, recipes, fun facts and more! E-mails collected from the Farmers Feed US campaign were added to the recipient list. Currently, there are more than 9,100 subscribers. To subscribe, visit the MI Foodie News website.
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The Farm Fresh Food Blog
A blog written by farmers for consumers and hosted at MLive.com. MLive.com gets 50 million page views a month while targeting the eight major Michigan media markets. Launched in March, Farm Fresh Food farmers adds new food-related posts at least three times a week for the six-month campaign. To check out what farmers are writing, visit MLive.com.
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Breakfast on the Farm
Breakfast on the Farm is a Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) program that gives the public the chance to enjoy a “farm fresh” meal and tour a local farm. MSUE has selected its six host farms for 2011:
- Jef-Len Dairy, Jeff Thelen family (St. Johns)
- Raymond and Stutzman Farm, LLC (Morenci)
- Circle K Farms, Inc., Kartes family (West Branch)
- Pasch Dairy, Inc., Pasch family (Weidman)
- Daybreak Dairy, LLC, Elzinga family (Zeeland)
- Taylor Creek Farm, LLC, Kronemeyer family (Pickford)
- S&M Dairy, Schulte family (Harbor Beach)
- Benthem Brothers Inc., Benthem family (McBain)
The Michigan Ag Council is providing assistance and promotional materials to teach Breakfast on the Farm attendees about Michigan agriculture.
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Farmers CARE
MAC is adopting the Farmers CARE (Commitment to Agriculture while Respecting our Earth) program and messaging to spread the word that Michigan farmers care about the environment, animal welfare, food safety and family values. Take a look at our efforts on the Farmers CARE website.
Michigan's Second-Largest Industry: Growing, Strong, Innovative
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A $71.3 Billion Industry
- Agriculture contributes more than $71.3 billion to Michigan's economy – from farming and processing to wholesale and retail sales.
- Agriculture and food processing employ more than one million Michigan residents.
- Payroll for farm workers exceeds $318 million per year.
- Read the economic report published in January, 2006 (PDF fomat)
Built on Family Farms
- Michigan's 53,315 farms include 10.1 million acres.
- More than 90 percent are individual or family owned.
A Diverse and Safe Harvest
With over 125 commodities grown in our soil, Michigan ranks second only to California in the diversity of crops, which means safe food grown close to home.
The Power of Ag Technology
- Biodiesel and ethanol are plant-based fuels helping to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
- Global positioning systems, biotechnology and conservation tillage allow Michigan farms to produce more food on fewer acres while reducing the use of chemicals and fertilizer.