Harvest

Covered hopper cars being loaded with grain - Shepherd, MI (October 2017)

Fall in Mid-Michigan means different things to different people: leaves changing color, deer season, apple cider, and the fall harvest.

Michigan produces over 300 different agricultural commodities, making it the second most diverse agricultural state behind California.  Michigan is the nation's leading producer of several crops including dried red and black beans, tart cherries, and pickling cucumbers.  Overall Michigan ranks 22nd in the nation (in US dollars) for agricultural production.

According to USDA data from 2012, agricultural products from Isabella County sold for over $119 million.  Gratiot County farms contributed even more to the economy, with products valued at over $345 million!

Here in Mid-Michigan, most farms are currently harvesting corn, with a few fields of soy beans and dry beans remaining to be harvested.  Sugar Beets also have yet to be harvested.  Harvest has currently stopped due to the heavy rains earlier this week.