Dr. Benishek Endorses Effort to Support Northern Michigan Farmers

Press Release

Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) recently endorsed bipartisan legislation that emphasizes the importance of specialty crops, such as cherries and apples, to America's agriculture.

"Northern Michigan's specialty crops play a critical role in our economy up here. Frankly, I want to make sure our cherry growers and apple growers have their viewpoints heard in Congress. That's exactly what this bipartisan legislation does," said Dr. Benishek, a general surgeon from Iron River and Michigan's only member of the House Committee on Agriculture.

The bipartisan legislation, introduced by U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01) indicates that the Agriculture Committee should provide funding to support specialty crops, such as those grown in Northern Michigan, in accordance with their growing value and crop production in the United States. According to the Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan's agriculture sector contributes over $71 billion to the economy and the state is home to over 56,000 farms, with many of those in Michigan's First Congressional District.

"Northern Michigan is very blessed to have so many successful specialty crop farms. These farms support a lot of jobs in our region, and my goal is to continue supporting our farmers on the Agriculture Committee and in Congress," added Dr. Benishek.

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