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Updated: 6:40 PM Mar 19, 2010
Farmers have beef with Michigan Meatout
Cass County, MI Gov. Granholm proclaims Saturday as a day without eating meat.
Posted: 5:53 PM Mar 19, 2010Reporter: Brandon Lewis Email Address: Brandon.Lewis@wndu.com |
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Agriculture in Michigan is a multi-billion dollar industry, so Governor Jennifer Granholm's proclamation suggesting people should eat fruits and vegetables on Saturday was viewed as a slap in the face to the meat industry.
Cass County prides itself as one of the largest hog producing counties in the state. Sales at Vlasicak's Meat appeared unaffected Friday by the Meatout.
"This is a very large meat county, one of the largest, probably the Midwest's largest hog producers there are a lot of cattle ranchers that people don't understand about. We are a large meat producing area," said Jeff Vlasicak, owner of Vlasicak's Meat.
When farmers heard the proclamation, they were stunned and suggested Granholm focus on other issues in the state.
"There's so many more important issues in Michigan, such as obesity. Anything in proportions I think is healthy," said hog farmer Brian McKenzie.
McKenzie doesn't expect to many people to take part in the Meatout, and doesn't think he'll loose much business. He is concerned about the slap in the face the agriculture community is feeling.
"It's important to us that people eat meat because that's what we do for a living. I don't think anyone should mandate whether people eat meat or not, it's a personal decision," said McKenzie.
Customers at Vlasicak's agreed.
"it's hard to make one a favorite over the others, so it's a bit unfair to target one industry and not the other, so I guess we're going to have a meat eating day soon," said Tala Walch while shopping for meat.
Governor Granholm said she is staying strong on her proclamation, despite calls for her to rescind it.
Meat lovers and farmers are planning a cookout on the steps of the Capitol in Lansing on Saturday to protest.
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