In full swing

August throughout the fruit belt has traditionally been the season of diversity and volume. Diversity of crops is what differentiates our agriculture from other production regions; we grow fruit crops that most places cannot. Apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines, and a whole host of other tree fruit cannot be grown consistently without the unique features of our landscape and climate. Thus, wholesale buyers flock to the Market in August to load tree fruit and deciduous, perennial fruit crops like blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. While here, they also find it convenient to buy crops that are easily grown elsewhere. Summer squash, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other annual fruit crops are prime examples of these "other" fruit.

In addition to diversity, the Great Fruit Belt of Michigan produces impressive volume. Michigan ranks number one, nation wide, in the production volume of fifteen horticultural crops and ranks in the top ten for almost fifty other crops.

Volume and diversity, these are the reasons folks who know fresh fruit, travel long distances to procure what cannot be reliably produced elsewhere.

So August is the month we're in "full swing." And this August is no exception. Sure, we've had our trials and tribulations with an unusually wet and windy weather pattern, and we've had a full share of heat and humidity. But still we produce!