We celebrated National Agriculture Day last month.
It is a time to talk with Michigan farmers about the issues they are facing in Michigan. It is also a chance to remember and highlight one of the most important industries in southwest Michigan and our state.
Agriculture’s impact on our daily lives is profound. Michigan is home to more than 52,000 farms and roughly 95 percent of them are family owned and operated.
Our farmers are the heart and soul of a food and agriculture industry that contributes more than $101 billion annually to Michigan’s economy and employs nearly 1 million workers — about a quarter of the state’s workforce.
When you add in the fact that our agricultural exports generate nearly $3.2 billion in economic activity, the importance of Michigan farming is clear.
Last summer, I launched a “Thank a Farmer” initiative as a way to highlight the extraordinary produce grown in Southwest Michigan and to give residents an easy way to thank our farmers for all they do to help feed our families and the nation. The response was tremendous, and we sent local farmers hundreds of thank-you notes and words of encouragement from area residents.
Another place families can thank farmers for the abundant and wonderful fresh foods they produce is at a local farmers market.
Our connection to agriculture is clearest at the local farmers market, where consumers can directly interact with area growers and producers. As a strong supporter of agriculture and our farmers markets, I introduced legislation while in the House to help our family farms and encourage entrepreneurship through cottage kitchens.
I am proud that we’ve made additional reforms to expand the unique, person-to-person relationship that families can make with farmers, producers and startup winemakers.
Michigan agriculture is critical to our state and country. Our unique climate, nutrient-rich soil and access to clean water makes Michigan a great place to grow one of the nation’s most diverse set of crops and produce.
I encourage area residents to help support local agriculture by visiting a local farmers market and buying Michigan-grown products.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents southwest Michigan.