Michigan Wheat Growers Approve Continued Statewide Marketing Program

By Andi Anderson

Michigan wheat producers have voted to continue the Michigan Wheat Program, showing strong support for a farmer funded initiative that promotes profitable wheat production and marketing statewide.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development organized a referendum in February that allowed eligible growers to decide whether the program should continue or come to an end.

A total of six hundred 85 ballots were submitted during the voting period. After reviewing the results, 623 ballots were determined to be valid.

The majority of producers supported continuing the program. More than eighty percent of voting farmers approved the extension, representing approximately eighty percent of the wheat produced in the state.

Based on these results, the program will continue for another five years, beginning September 1, 2026 and running through August 31, 2031.

The Michigan Wheat Program is supported entirely by wheat farmers through an assessment set at one half of one percent of the value of wheat sold. These funds are not tax dollars and are used solely to benefit wheat producers in the state.

The program focuses on improving wheat production through research, education, information sharing, market development and cooperation across the wheat industry.

The program operates under the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act, which allows Michigan producers to establish commodity specific programs aimed at strengthening agricultural markets.

To continue operating, such programs must be approved through a referendum at least every five years. Approval requires support from a majority of voting producers who also represent a majority of the commodity’s production volume within the state.

Michigan wheat producers first established the program in two thousand eleven. Since then, farmers have continued to show confidence in the program by voting to maintain it through additional referenda held in two thousand sixteen, two thousand twenty one and now in two thousand twenty six.

The continued approval of the Michigan Wheat Program reflects farmers’ commitment to investing in their industry.

By working together, Michigan wheat growers aim to strengthen production practices, expand market opportunities, and ensure long term sustainability and profitability for wheat farming across the state.

Photo Credit: depositphotos-simazoran