Michigan’s dairy farms have been a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural heritage for generations, but increasing operating costs mean family-owned operations are becoming increasingly rare.

Even as the number of dairy farms continues to shrink, many Michigan families are preserving the tradition by producing fresh milk, cheese, and ice cream while opening their farms to visitors.

Today, The ’Gander’s Chaunie Brusie highlights 10 family-owned dairy farms across Michigan where you can experience that tradition firsthand (and maybe enjoy a scoop of homemade ice cream along the way).

Plus: Josh & Jase were having a great time in Michigan. Then Traverse City happened. Read on for the details.

Michigan health officials lift lettuce warning (ClickOnDetroit): Michigan health officials say residents can safely resume eating lettuce and bagged salad mixes as the state’s record cyclospora outbreak continues to slow. While more than 12,000 cases have been reported since June, officials say most contaminated produce is no longer in circulation and are returning to normal food safety guidance.

Drug-resistant fungus spreading in Michigan (Freep): Michigan has reported the nation’s second-highest number of Candida auris cases this year, as federal health officials warn the drug-resistant fungus continues to spread in healthcare settings. The yeast primarily threatens hospitalized patients and people with serious medical conditions.

Michigan AG urges caution after data breaches (WILX): Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to protect their personal information after a series of major data breaches involving TransUnion, Corewell Health, 700Credit LLC, and Munson Healthcare. Nessel is also renewing her push for stalled legislation that would strengthen data breach protections.

Once a mainstay in the state, these small generational dairy farms in Michigan are keeping the tradition (and the milking!) going strong. (Ankley Farm)

By Chaunie Brusie

One of my first dates with my husband was “helping” him milk the cows on his family’s farm in a small town in Michigan, one of more than 1,000 dairy farms in the state. We rounded the cows up into the barn (which is really just a formality, as any dairy farmer will attest that those cows basically know the drill), cleaned their udders, hooked up the milking machines, and made sure the milking area was clear of manure.

Afterward, I got a tour of the milking parlor and, of course, had my first taste of fresh cow’s milk. Dairy farming was such an integral part of my now-in-laws’ lives that my husband never even drank cow’s milk from a store until he was a senior in high school—he reports being shocked that even whole milk tasted like water to him!

Dairy farming was a way of life for many Michigan families like my husband’s, and while the number of family-owned dairy farms in the state has dropped at a shocking rate (140,000 family farms were lost from 2017 to 2020 alone), some families are holding strong to the tradition. 

Today, there are around 850 dairy farms in Michigan, which supply the entire state’s needs for milk, cheese, and my personal favorite, ice cream. 

Josh and Jase explain how their reception in Traverse City has not been warm by all. (Josh & Jase/USA Today Network)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

British social media stars Josh & Jase say their otherwise sunny Michigan summer journey is facing a dark edge.

The pair is pushing back on online criticism for their visit to Traverse City.

“There are local groups in Traverse City that people aren’t saying very nice things and saying we’re things that we’re not,” Joshua Cauldwell-Clarke said in a video on X and on Facebook on Wednesday.

He showed some of the social media posts about him and his media partner, Jason Riley, in the video. Some read, “Go home scalawags!” “F@#$ those dudes,” and “Why should anyone care about these two? TC hates tourists but loves these freeloaders. I don’t get it.”

With election season kicking into high gear, earlier this week I wanted to know more about the issues readers wanted candidates to address, instead of resorting to attack ads.

So, I asked:

What are the biggest issues facing Michiganders that candidates should address?

Here’s what you had to say:

“The infra-structure needs to be addressed. NOT the orange barrels you see along major rods but the back road bridges, the sewer and water systems. Easy access and Health and wellness for all.” — Priscella, Kimball

“The most important issue facing Michigan at the present time is without a doubt AI Data centers! Any candidate running for office in Michigan needs to be able to articulate their intentions on what they will do to control the proliferation of these huge complexes, which have dire consequences for Michigan’s land, air and water quality, as well as negatively affecting citizens’ quality of life, home values, and utility bills. For once they are in they will be impossible to remove.” — Janette, Jackson

And if you have a question you’d like me to ask our community, send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

*Responses may be edited for conciseness or clarity.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Chaunie Brusie and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

The ’Gander is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.