Farm Bureau presents 'I Love Blueberries' to House; Michigan Blueberry Commission outlines industry scale

The House Agriculture Committee heard a brief presentation promoting March Reading Month and agricultural literacy as Josh Scramlin of Michigan Farm Bureau presented the children's selection "I Love Blueberries" and encouraged legislators to read it in local schools.

Nancy Nyquist, executive director of the Michigan Blueberry Commission, told the committee that the commission (created in 2017) supports industry-driven research and promotion. She said Michigan produced more than 84 million pounds of blueberries in 2024 and, when asked, clarified that commercial production takes place on roughly 17,000 acres statewide, with about 500 growers operating in the state. "These are multi-generation farmers," Nyquist said, describing concentrated production in Southwest Michigan where sandy glacial soils and proximity to Lake Michigan favor the crop.

Lawmakers asked questions about seasonality and markets. Nyquist said Michigan's peak harvest runs from early July through early September and that roughly 53% of production goes to the fresh market while 47% is processed; most processing occurs in-state. The presentation emphasized industry outreach: Farm Bureau and the Commission present the Book of the Year to the House and Senate agriculture committees and encourage members to read with students in their districts.

The committee received the book and the presenters' materials and then moved on to the scheduled dairy-industry presentation.