Michigan Agriculture

Michigan farmers produce more than 300 agricultural products, making Michigan the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation. 

According to Michigan Grown, Michigan is first in the nation for production of:

  • Asparagus
  • Tart Cherries
  • Cucumbers for pickling
  • Dry black beans, cranberry beans and small red beans
  • Chestnuts
  • Production of milk per cow
  • Winter Squash
  • Turnips

Learn more

THE REAL DILL
Michigan Pickles

Michigan ranks first nationally in the production of cucumbers for pickling. In 2016, Michigan produced 236,700 tons of pickling cucumbers with a value of $47 million. In addition, the state produced 68 million pounds of cucumbers for the fresh market worth $15 million.*

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED
Michigan Cherries

Michigan grows 75 percent of the supply of tart cherries and 20 percent of the supply of sweet cherries in the United States. In 2016, Michigan produced 22,600 tons of sweet cherries with a value of $18.2 million and 224 million pounds of tart cherries with a value of $54 million.*

FROM POTATOES TO CHIPS
Michigan Potatoes

Potatoes are Michigan’s leading produce commodity, generating $178.7 million in farm gate sales in 2016 and nearly 2 billion pounds of potatoes harvested from as far south as Monroe County to as far north as Iron County in the Upper Peninsula. Michigan is the nation’s leading producer of potatoes for potato chip processing. Montcalm is the largest potato production county in Michigan.*

MI BLUE HEAVEN
Michigan Blueberries

Michigan is one of the top producing states in growing these sweet, juicy, and plump little blue dynamos. In 2016, the state produced 110 million pounds of more than 30 mouthwatering varieties of highbush blueberries. More than 50 percent of all Michigan blueberries are shipped to the fresh market; the rest are frozen, pureed, concentrated, or canned to be used in a wide range of food products.*

CULTIVATING BEAUTY
Michigan Floriculture

In 2015, the wholesale value of Michigan’s floriculture totaled $409 million, only behind California and Florida. Michigan’s floriculture industry is incredibly diverse. There were 556 floriculture producers in Michigan in 2015. Michigan leads the nation in nine floriculture crops, including impatiens, begonias, Easter lilies, geraniums, and petunias.*

*Source: Michigan Agriculture Facts & Figures, 2017

Learn more about Michigan agriculture at:

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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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