by Don Koivisto, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture

As I travel around the state talking with farmers and promoting Michigan’s agriculture industry, I consider all the things that can be done to further enhance the role agriculture and farming has in the state. With the current economic changes in Michigan, I believe agriculture will have an even bigger role in the state’s economy as it continues to be the second largest economic driver in the state generating nearly $64 billion for Michigan’s economy annually. Land is fundamental to maintaining and enhancing agriculture’s place in the Michigan’s economy. It’s where it all begins. It makes sense to preserve our land base so current, and future, Michigan farmers can continue to produce the wide variety of crops already grown here.

Prior to the implementation of the state’s Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program (PA 116) in the early 1970s, Michigan had already lost an astounding four million acres of farmland. The tax incentives provided by PA 116 have significantly slowed the rate of farmland loss. In fact, the program currently protects more than 3.3 million acres of Michigan farmland.

Although our farmland preservation program has been successful - it is not the entire solution. Michigan is still losing on average 30,000 acres of farmland per year. No one program or activity can preserve all of Michigan’s farmland. But a combination of activities can help keep Michigan agriculture viable and a major player in the state’s economy.

First, one of the best ways to safeguard farmland is to enhance the basic economic vitality of Michigan agriculture. Farms that can make money will remain farms and the children of the farm families will stay in the family business. We can encourage value added agriculture by improving access to commodity markets - locally, nationally and abroad. With today’s energy costs, buying locally produced products is particularly important.

Secondly, expansion of programs such as PA 116, which target full time farmers, to include land owned by part time farmers would help to protect up to 50 percent more of Michigan’s farmland. Enhanced funding for permanent protection programs such as the Michigan Agricultural Preservation Fund and programs to help farmers pass their farm on to future generations would be of great benefit.

Farms don’t just supply the food we eat and enjoy every day; they represent the second largest industry in the state, are responsible for 1 million jobs, and provide an important “export” function for the state - exporting crops and importing dollars back into the state and local communities. Businesses that export a commodity and import capital, particularly from a land based resource available year after year, are becoming increasingly vital in an economy where many of the new jobs are in the service sector which transfer wealth within the state rather than import wealth from other regions.

The availability of water in Michigan places the state and agriculture in a unique position nationally. It’s predicted that water resources in the Great Plains and in central California will significantly diminish in the not too distant future. Michigan’s position in the great lakes basin, plus the availability of quality farmland, will be the key to the state’s agricultural economic future; if we can only hold on to the farmland we have.

In addition to economic benefits, farms also provide valuable environmental benefits to communities, providing storm water catchment and flood control, wildlife habitat, and open space. Farms also act as a positive tax revenue source for local governments, since studies show farmers typically pay more in property taxes than they use for services.

The bottom line is agriculture is good for Michigan, good for local government, and good for communities. Preserving our existing farmland base can positively position Michigan today, in the future, and help secure Michigan as a major economic player in the Midwest and the nation.

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For more on farmland preservation, visit michigan.gov/farmland.