Students locate the state’s counties and will identify which agricultural products used in pizza are grown in Michigan.

Objectives:
Recognize that pizza is made of agricultural products and locate the state’s counties and will identify where agricultural products used in pizza are grown in Michigan.

Time needed:
One class period

Materials:
Lists of Michigan counties where products are grown

Background information:
Agriculture is Michigan’s second largest industry. It contributes $ billion to the state’s economy and gives one in eight persons—either directly or indirectly—a job. Producing over 100 products, Michigan is second only to California in the diversity of its agricultural products. Because of its unique geography and varied climate, Michigan grows over 150 different agricultural products—including those used in pizza.

Pizza is basically a crust made of flour, eggs, and oil. Tomato sauce and cheese are placed on top of this crust. Then comes the toppings—and there are many choices! Pepperoni is the most popular choice.

Pepperoni is a highly spiced sausage made from pork. Pork comes from hogs and in Michigan Cass, Allegan, Ottawa, Huron and Branch are the top hog-producing counties (Michigan Agricultural Statistics 1999-2000).

Pizza includes an ample use of vegetables. Vegetables used fresh and those sent to processing plants include tomatoes for tomato sauce, onions and peppers. Most are grown in the southern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The ten counties with the most number of farms growing vegetables are Oceana, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Allegan, Berrien, Newaygo, Mason, Ottawa, Lenawee and Macomb. (Michigan Agricultural Statistics 1999-2000).

Cheese made from milk from dairy cows is a delicious part of pizza. Sanilac, Clinton, Allegan, Huron and Ottawa counties have the most number of milk cows.

Some people like hamburger on their pizza. Hamburger comes from beef cows and in Michigan the Osceola, Eaton, Barry, Allegan, and Calhoun counties have the most beef cows.

Activities:
Take a county map of Michigan and indicate those counties with the most farms producing vegetables; those top hog-producing counties; those counties with the most dairy cows; and those counties with the most beef cows.