LANSING — Michigan farmers and agriculture officials are highlighting the importance of government support for the industry, following the distribution of more than a dozen new grants Thursday.
The funding from the USDA totals more than $2 million and is going to a variety of crop production groups — $120,000 for the Cherry Marketing Institute, $125,000 for the Michigan Apple Committee and $160,000 for the Michigan Blueberry Commission.
The grants go toward a combination of agricultural research and market development for a variety of Michigan produce.
“Those investments into apples and cherries and potatoes and dry beans are really critical to making sure that Michigan’s got a thriving and sustainable long-term industry here across the state,” said Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The funding is part of the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program, which has provided tens of millions of dollars to Michigan and more than a billion dollars nationwide in the last 20 years.
The funding was provided to the state and distributed by MDARD.
“I think there’s a real recognition of the value of these investments into our food production systems in individual states,” Boring said.
The program has continued to distribute funding even through the Trump administration’s efforts to slash federal spending.
Boring says that support is reflective of the importance of the country’s agriculture work.
“A lot of our research programs are built upon and predicated on this kind of funding to continue work — in breeding programs, how we respond to shifting weather patterns, emerging pests and disease pressure,” he said. “So this is really foundational, fundamental research work.”
Phil Hallstedt, co-founder of HH Cherries in Leelanau County, says he’s seen the impact of government funding in his industry.
“I really think that this kind of funding is critical, and I am seeing it make a difference hands on,” he said.
Hallstedt hasn’t received USDA funding, but did receive a separate $100,000 grant from MDARD earlier this year.
“I think those are critical to both drive innovation — within especially specialty crops — of new products, new form factors, new marketing initiatives,” he said.
Hallstedt says that without financial support from the state and federal governments, farmers like him would be slower to respond to market trends and potential business opportunities.
Hallstedt’s funding helped him retool processing facilities to produce cherry vinegar, a new type of product that is picking up in popularity.
“Without those kinds of grants, those types of innovation either won’t happen or the expansion of them will be delayed,” he said.