Native Americans were the first group to farm in Michigan, with key crops being corn, pumpkins, and wild rice. The arrival of Euro-American settlers introduced more permanent agriculture, with early yields favoring wheat and corn. Though Michigan’s grain production would never rival that of the Great Plains, other crops gained prominence, including potatoes, sugar beets, mint, and various fruits and vegetables. Livestock, including cattle, sheep, and swine, also contributed to Michigan’s rich agricultural history. As of 2018, Michigan’s food and agriculture system contributed 805,000 jobs and 104.7 billion dollars to the economy through direct, indirect, and induced activity.
