Why Doesn’t Michigan Have Cranberry Bogs Like Wisconsin?
Driving across the Midwest, you notice a lot of similarities including rolling farmland, some extremely charming small towns, and an abundance of cheese curds.
But on a recent road trip on the other side of Lake Michigan to Wisconsin, I spotted something I had never seen before here in Michigan: vast cranberry bogs, stretching out like ruby-colored carpets over the landscape. Which made me wonder: why don’t we have more cranberry bogs here in Michigan?
We may not have cranberries, but these are 25 things Michigan is known for ⬇️
Sure, the mitten state is no stranger to fruit. We’re known for our cherries, apples, and blueberries all over the rest of the country. But cranberries? Not so much. As it turns out, there are a few reasons why.
One major thing keeping the bogs out of our state is the Clean Water Act. It was passed in 1972 and while it’s really important to help protect our waterways, it also made it much harder to expand cranberry farming in wetlands across the country. In Michigan, any new cranberry beds require special approval on a case-by-case basis, making large-scale production much more difficult.
Environmental conditions also play a role. While Michigan does have sandy soil and cold winters, the conditions aren’t always ideal for growing cranberries at a large scale. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has been able to develop high-yield cranberry varieties and has better pest and disease management, allowing the industry to thrive.
That said, if you really want Michigan cranberries, you can find them at DeGrandchamp Farms in South Haven.
But if you’re looking for endless bogs stretching across the landscape, you’ll have to take a road trip to Wisconsin (just don’t forget to grab some cheese curds while you’re there.)
25 Things Michigan Is Known And Famous For
Gallery Credit: Big Joe Pesh
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