By Andi Anderson
Michigan Sen. Roger Victory of the 31st District is known across the state not only for his work in government but also for his deep connection to agriculture. Before being elected to the Senate in 2018, he served six years in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Throughout his service, he has continued to lead Victory Farms LLC, a specialty crop operation, and Victory Sales LLC, a national produce distribution business. His identity as a farmer remains central to his work and public interactions.
“Some call me ‘Farmer Rog’ and some call me ‘Senator Rog,’ but I’d much rather go by ‘Farmer Rog,’” he said. “People appreciate farmers more than elected officials.”
Victory shared that as he travels around Michigan, he has noticed a rising interest in agriculture among people from many backgrounds. “I’ve discovered there is a really deep desire for people to learn about agriculture and where their food comes from,” he said. Michigan’s agricultural diversity, with more than 300 commodities, continues to impress residents. Victory often reminds people, “I like to rephrase that as we’re the most diverse agricultural state with great access to water. That opens up so many possibilities for our farmers.”
He explained that interest in agriculture is not limited to rural communities. In fact, curiosity in urban areas is often even stronger. “I look at the legislative body, and I’m very enthused that people may be from an urban or rural area, but the passion is there,” he said. “Sometimes there’s an even higher interest in urban areas. I think the script has been flipped, especially in the last 10 years or so. Things like food awareness, food as medicine, this is the new narrative out there.”
Victory noted that agriculture plays an important role in addressing rising healthcare costs. He believes that healthy, nutritious food grown on Michigan farms can make a meaningful difference.
“One of the remedies for healthcare costs is what we can do on Michigan farms, providing a healthy and nutritious diet, and educating people about the benefits of that,” he said.
He also emphasized the important role of Michigan State University AgBioResearch and MSU Extension in finding solutions to large-scale issues. These programs provide research, outreach, and education to support farmers and communities.
MSU AgBioResearch Director George Smith highlighted the value of legislative support.
“We’re dedicated to addressing many of the grand challenges facing society today — nutrition, food access, food security and agricultural sustainability — which also means workforce development to train students to work in agriculture,” Smith said. “To do that, we need support from growers, ranchers and producers, along with the State of Michigan. Sen. Victory has been a leading advocate for our work in these areas.”
Through his leadership and advocacy, Victory continues to promote the importance of agriculture, research, and education in strengthening Michigan’s food system and supporting future generations.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, General