State Representative Betsy Coffia and Local Agricultural Leaders Champion Federal Investments in Michigan Farms and Rural Communities

Northwest Michigan Benefits from Inflation Reduction Act’s Climate Smart Agriculture Funding, Elevating Sustainable Practices and Regional Economy

(TRAVERSE CITY, MI) – Today, State Representative Betsy Coffia, Grand Traverse County Commissioner TJ Andrews, and Michigan Farmers Union President Bob Thompson convened a press conference to spotlight the historic federal investments in Michigan’s farms and rural communities. These investments champion climate-smart practices and bolster economic growth in Grand Traverse County and the broader northwest lower Michigan region.

Thanks to the work of climate champions in Michigan’s Congressional delegation and President Biden to pass and sign into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Michigan’s agricultural producers and rural communities will have the resources they need to be part of the climate solution while boosting their economic potential. The IRA included nearly $40 billion for farms and rural communities across the country to invest in climate-smart practices that will improve their environmental footprint and enhance their bottom line.

Proudly known as the "Cherry Capital of the World," Traverse City and the northwest lower Michigan region is a significant contributor to the nation’s cherry and apple supply. "Our rich agricultural legacy is a huge part of our identity in northern Michigan and a critical sector of our economy. These federal investments are key to preserving that and supporting especially our smaller and medium sized farmers and growers. We need to ensure our region’s farmers and growers can access once in a generation federal dollars to implement climate-smart agricultural practices that bolster our farms and our economy against the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world,” said Rep. Coffia.

While the agriculture sector contributes approximately 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas pollution, recent IRA provisions aim to transform this challenge into an opportunity for Michigan farmers. With an injection of $850 million for the USDA’s oversubscribed conservation programs in 2023, the IRA will support hundreds of thousands of farmers in applying environmentally-conscious practices to millions of acres.

Grand Traverse County ranks 8th in Michigan for the total market value of its fruits, tree nuts, and berry crops. Neighboring Leelanau and Antrim counties rank 5th and 10th, respectively. Commissioner TJ Andrews highlighted Grand Traverse County’s role as a cornerstone of Michigan’s agricultural output, saying, "Our farmers have been eager to employ climate-smart practices in the face of mounting hardships. Warming winters and erratic weather mean lower yields, more crop failures, and increasing costs. Thanks to the IRA’s landmark investments, we have the opportunity to boost our renowned agricultural production while playing a positive role in reducing pollution."

The IRA’s commitment of $14 billion to facilitate farms and rural electric co-ops in transitioning to cleaner energy sources is projected to generate an estimated 90,000 jobs in these communities. Paired with the expansion of the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which allocates nearly $2 billion for renewable energy projects and energy efficiency initiatives, rural areas are poised for sustainable economic revitalization.

Bob Thompson, President of the Michigan Farmers Union, added, "Our farmers are on the frontlines of climate change, and this federal funding represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our rural communities. With the support from the IRA, we can lead the charge in sustainable agriculture and the fight against climate change, while playing a critical part in our nation’s food security."

Speakers urged federal leaders to not only reject efforts to scale back climate smart ag investments – as some have suggested – but to further expand on them.

A recording of the event is available HERE.