By Andi Anderson
Michigan Rep. Julie Brixie of the 73rd District grew up in Chicago, but her connection to agriculture began early. Throughout her childhood, she spent time with cousins on a 2,000‑acre cattle ranch in Nebraska. This experience shaped her interest in farming and later inspired her to earn a master’s degree in crop and soil sciences and environmental toxicology from Michigan State University (MSU).
Brixie explained that her family valued learning from both urban and rural environments. “Even though I grew up as a city person, my parents thought it was important for my cousins and me to learn from each other’s environments,” she said. Her ties strengthened when she married someone who grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin. She added, “One of the most wonderful things about Michigan is the agricultural diversity of our state.”
Michigan’s specialty crops, such as cherries, blueberries, and apples, are central to the state’s identity and economy. Brixie noted that specialty crop growers face unique pressures, including pests, diseases, weather challenges, and economic shifts. “We have so many specialty crops, and we’re very similar to California in that respect… Being that agriculture is the second-largest economic driver in Michigan, it’s important for economic reasons but also for maintaining our identity as a state,” she said.
Brixie emphasized the importance of MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension in supporting farmers. Specialty crop industries often lack the funds to conduct large-scale research on their own, making MSU’s work essential. “It’s really important for our agriculture university — MSU — to do research to help those folks in order for us to continue with the success of Michigan agriculture,” she said.
Farmers frequently share concerns with Brixie about labor shortages, changing policies, and global trade impacts. She noted that tariffs and political shifts have disrupted equipment costs and crop prices. Weather extremes have also increased insect and disease pressures. According to Brixie, “Climate change, climate variability, these are huge issues we’re facing… all of these things impact the ability of crops to thrive.”
Programs like Project GREEEN, the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M‑AAA), and the Agricultural Resiliency Program help address plant and animal agriculture challenges. Brixie praised MSU’s rapid response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, stating, “They really led the nation in assessing the risk and understanding how the pathogen spreads.”
AgBioResearch Director George Smith highlighted the importance of legislative support. “I appreciate Rep. Brixie and her understanding that agriculture and farms of all sizes… are the foundation of our rural economies,” he said.
Brixie encouraged ongoing communication between farmers, legislators, and MSU, explaining, “We’re here to help you, and we need back and forth communication in order to be the most effective at doing that.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Michigan, Education