Growing Region

Pure Northern Michigan ... A Midwestern Agricultural Jewel!

Northwest Lower Michigan provides some of the richest agricultural growing regions in the Great Lakes states. And nestled within the rolling hills, valleys and pristine lakes of northern Michigan's Antrim County, sits a heavenly place called Friske Orchards, our home.

Our orchards are just adjacent to Lake Michigan, sitting approximately halfway between Grand Traverse Bay (Traverse City) and Little Traverse Bay (Petoskey / Harbor Springs). Other nearby lakes include Lake Charlevoix, Round Lake, and the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed, including Intermediate Lake, Lake Bellaire, Torch Lake, Lake Skegamog and Elk Lake.

This natural geographical playground was formed by glaciers, and the rolling hills and ridges (called drumlins) help aid cold air drainage, mitigating frost damage to a wide variety of delicate fruits. In addition, our proximity to Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay allows for moderation of spring and fall temperatures. This orchestration of factors produces a symphony of ideal growing conditions, helping local farmers produce what many people believe to be the best fruit in the world!

So please come visit Friske Orchards and our little slice of northern Michigan paradise. In addition to the great people who live and work here, you'll enjoy pristine lakes and beaches, a variety of local agricultural and specialty food products, award-winning wineries, challenging golf courses, great festivals, fabulous sunsets, boating and sailing adventures, wonderful winter sports, and so much more. For some nearby local adventures, see Visiting Our Region.

See below for some fun-facts about Michigan agriculture and our great state!

General Information - Michigan

Capital: Lansing
Population: Approximately 10+ Million
Founded: January 26, 1837 (26th State)
State Bird: Robin
State Flower: Apple Blossom
State Tree: White Pine
Number of Counties: 83
Largest City: Detroit - 950,000+
Nickname: Great Lakes State
Number of Farms: 55,000
Average Farm Size: 179 Acres
Total Farmland: 10,000,000 Acres

Michigan Climate & Soil

Michigan has four distinct seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) and many microclimates. Michigan's climates support more than 200 agricultural food and fiber products, making Michigan the 2nd most agriculturally diverse state in the USA.
The Kalkaska Series of Soils, named the state soil in 1990, covers 750,000 Michigan acres.
The Kalkaska Series of Soils are found in the Upper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula, and in 29 of 83 counties.
This soil supports the growth of hardwood timber trees like sugar maple, yellow birch and Christmas trees.

Michigan Crops & Livestock

Michigan is one of the leading producers of apples, blueberries and cherries. Important vegetable crops include asparagus, bell peppers, carrots, celery, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, pumpkins, snap beans, sweet corn and tomatoes. Field crops are corn, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat and hay. Michigan is also the second largest grower of Christmas trees in the nation and a large producer of greenhouse and nursery products.
Michigan leads the nation ranking #1 in the production of tart cherries. In 2007, Michigan grew 96 million pounds or 77% of the U.S. tart cherry crop.
Michigan ranks first in the USA production of pickling cucumbers, geraniums, petunias, squash and vegetable-type bedding plants.
Michigan ranks 2nd nationally for beans, carrots, celery and plums; and 3rd in asparagus production.
Michigan ranks third nationally in apple production. In 2007, Michigan apple production was over 770 million bushels with an estimated farm-level value of $97.1 million dollars.
Michigan ranks 8th in fresh market and 5th in processed vegetable production nationally. In 2007, Michigan grew over 887,560 tons of fresh market and processing vegetables - or around 1,775,120,000 pounds!
Michigan ranks 3rd nationally in wholesale sales value of floriculture products.
Michigan led the nation in sales values for 13 crops in 2007. Crops include: Potted Easter Lilies, Potted Spring Flowering Bulbs, Potted Geraniums (seed), Potted Petunias, Potted New Guinea Impatiens, New Guinea Impatiens Hanging Baskets, Geraniums, Impatiens, Begonia and Petunia Hanging Baskets, Impatiens and New Guinea Impatiens (flats) and Potted Geraniums (cuttings).
In 2007, Michigan's 335,000 dairy cows produced 7,598 million pounds of milk, ranking Michigan 7th in the nation for milk production.
Michigan’s 2007 hog production totaled 556 million pounds, ranking Michigan fourteenth in the nation for hog inventory.
Michigan's 2007 cattle industry counted over 1 million head of cattle statewide with an estimated value of $1.42 billion dollars.
Michigan ranks 13th in wine production with 81 commercial wineries producing over 1,000,000 gallons of wine annually. Most Michigan wine production is from Michigan-grown grapes. The wine industry contributes $300 million annually to Michigan's economy.

Michigan General Agricultural

In 2008, Michigan agriculture supported 12,800 jobs and generated more than $1 billion dollars.
Agriculture is Michigan’s 2nd largest industry. Agriculture generates approximately $63.7 billion for the state economy and employs around one million Michigan residents.
Michigan agriculture is the second most diverse in the nation, next to California. In total, Michigan produces over 200 different food and fiber products.
In 2008, Michigan ranked 19th nationally for the top state agriculture exporters in the USA.
This soil supports the growth of hardwood timber trees like sugar maple, yellow birch and Christmas trees.

Source: US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - From most recent posted info.

Open Year-Round with Special Seasonal & Holiday Events!

Questions? Call 231.599.2604

Michigan Agricultural Crops Include: Dry beans (black, cranberry, light red kidney, navy, small red), blueberries, tart cherries, cucumbers (for pickles), flowering hanging baskets, wine grapes, geraniums, impatiens, petunias, soybeans and much more ... In total, Michigan produces 200 different food and fiber products.