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About the Michigan Vegetable CouncilIn 1964, a group of vegetable industry leaders concluded that Michigan needed a state-wide vegetable organization. The intent was to bring together individual growers, along with commodity associations, processors, shippers and other trade people interested in promoting the welfare of the state's vegetable industry. As a result, the Michigan Vegetable Council, Inc. was incorporated in 1964. The first board of directors were growers Duane Baldwin from Stockbridge and Frank Smith, Jr. from Carleton, Herb Turner from Daily Pickle Co. in Saginaw, William Hays from Gerber Products Co. in Fremont, and Robert DeBruyn from DeBruyn Produce in Zeeland. At the time it was organized, the primary purposes of the Michigan Vegetable Council were to promote vegetable research and Extension work through Michigan State University and to provide educational programs and other information beneficial to those in the vegetable industry, particularly growers. For the purpose of providing educational programs, the council, in cooperation with the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, initially sponsored meetings in early December at the annual convention of the Michigan State Horticultural Society in Grand Rapids. Starting in January of 1968, the council's first annual trade show and educational meeting, which became the Great Lakes Vegetable Growers Convention, was held in Lansing. The annual convention was moved to Grand Rapids in 1989. The Great Lakes Vegetable Growers Convention and Farm Market Show ended its run of successful events with the 34th session held in January, 2001. In December 2001, the Michigan State Horticultural Society and the Michigan Vegetable Council will combine shows, initiating the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO. It will be the largest show of its kind in the country. We could not have reached this point without the foresight of those who started the Michigan Vegetable Council and those who have left it through the years. We acknowledge their efforts. Although the annual show will be new, the Michigan Vegetable Council will continue to pursue it original purposes on behalf of the state's vegetable industry in the years ahead. Contact Information:
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