Report reveals Michigan’s ag diversity

Mich. Dept. of Ag has released a set of food and ag county profiles for each of Michigan's 83 counties and 9 ag regions. The profiles highlight the diversity of Michigan agriculture including info on current food and ag trends like locally produced and organic foods. The state’s greenhouse, nursery, floriculture and sod products generate more than $623 million in revenue, which ranks 6th in the U.S. Christmas tree sales generate more than $29 million, which ranks 3rd nationally. Southwestern Michigan, which includes the counties of Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ottawa and Van Buren, ranks 1st in greenhouse and nursery square footage. Ottawa County is 1st in hort. sales generating more than $129 million. Kalamazoo County is 2nd in hort. revenues at $89.8 million. Kalamazoo County has the most greenhouse/nursery production space at just under 12 million sq. ft. Michigan produces more than 200 commodities and is 2nd in the nation in terms of ag diversity. The profiles combine data drawn from USDA's Nat’l Ag Statistics Service 2007 Census of Ag and other public sources.