Michigan Sen. Sam Singh on MSU Agriculture Research, Outreach: ‘There’s a Need and a Want’

This story is part of a series highlighting the impact of MSU AgBioResearch’s work with Michigan agriculture and natural resources told through our stakeholders’ perspectives. Through partnerships with the State of Michigan and industries, MSU AgBioResearch is finding solutions to some of the most timely problems facing our state. To view the entire series, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.

To view a podcast with MSU AgBioResearch Director George Smith and Michigan Sen. Sam Singh on the importance of agriculture research and outreach to the state, click here.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Over his decade spent in the Michigan Legislature, Sen. Sam Singh, 28^th District, has learned a lot about the state’s farmers and the challenges they face. But his agricultural education began during his initial foray into politics, serving as a city council member and later as mayor of East Lansing.

Representing the area in which Michigan State University,

resides and a region with an abundance of farms necessitated a crash course in all things agriculture, from talking to local farmers and industry organizations to interacting with university leaders.

“I grew up in a suburban area, went to MSU and didn’t have an ag background,” Singh said. “But when I began representing the area and eventually joined the legislature, first for six years in the House and now in my Senate term, I wanted to ensure I understood everything happening at the university. I threw myself into that, and I had a lot of good local farmers who helped educate me about agriculture. It’s a challenging business, but it’s one that’s undeniably important to Michigan.”

Agriculture is the state’s second-largest industry, delivering more than $125 billion in economic activity each year. Michigan also ranks second nationally in agricultural diversity — No. 1 with reliable access to water — producing more than 300 commodities. For Singh, this meant he wanted to have his finger on the pulse of what Michigan’s farmers need and how MSU is responding.

In addition to a wide range of other assignments,

Singh is a member of the Senate’s Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee, as well as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. These groups dictate policy and funding for Michigan agriculture, including programs through MSU that support the industries.

“Early on in my time in the legislature, what I was hearing from farmers and food processors was about talent,” Singh said. “They always need workers and wanted us to look at how the state could help them with workforce development.

“Now, it’s very clear that climate has become an issue. Extreme weather has affected planting and harvesting seasons. The third area is a set of economic factors with changes in tariff policy, inflation and other costs. It’s impacting our farm communities in a variety of ways. They need help to understand how those measures will affect them moving forward. I’m hearing these questions coming up about how to deal with it, and I know that’s why farmers have a great relationship with MSU Extension and AgBioResearch because there’s a need. There’s so much change that’s happening all across the country, so having a state resource like we do with MSU is very valuable.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and agriculture to natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.