Granholm declares "Meatout day"

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Gov. Jennifer Granholm might have bit off more than she could chew when she declared Saturday Michigan Meatout Day.

Many MSU agriculture students and agribusiness advocates found the proclamation thoughtless and insensitive.

Charlie Cramer, a crop and soil sciences sophomore, said some people might be overreacting about the proclamation, but no meat consumption for a day could be harmful to Michigan’s meat farms and producers.

“When I first heard it, my thought was I don’t really think she knew what she was doing and how much of an impact she could have on all the meat industries in one day,” he said.

Shortly after Granholm issued the proclamation advising Michigan residents not to eat meat on Saturday, she issued another resolution proclaiming Saturday “Michigan Agriculture Day.”

Granholm spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said Granholm wants to recognize Saturday as both Meatout Day and Agriculture Day.

“Our state’s agricultural diversity offers something for everyone,” Granholm said in a statement. “From top-quality meat and vegetables to fine produce like apples, melons and blueberries, Michigan farmers produce wholesome, healthy food we all can enjoy.”

David Schweikhardt, an MSU professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, said one Meatout Day likely wouldn’t have an impact on the meat economy.

“I’m not sure there is anyone who would even do it anyway,” he said. “In terms of the price impact of one day, it would have to be zero. The larger question is whether it might affect people’s attitudes and diets in the long run.”

Granholm declared Meatout Day for residents to recognize that reduced meat consumption decreases risk of disease, plant-based diets increase energy levels and to encourage residents to consume a fruit and vegetable rich diet, according to the proclamation.

Agribusiness management senior Greg Thon said a balanced diet includes meat in moderation.

“It almost makes us look like villains who are raising beef and destroying national health because of (meat consumption),” Thon said. “The reality is that Americans overconsume meat. We don’t need to have an absence of meat, we need to keep our diets in check and have a well-rounded diet.”

Charley Willison, an interdisciplinary studies and social sciences and health studies senior, said she is a vegetarian and was surprised by Granholm’s proclamation.

“This is Michigan, this is deer hunter’s state,” she said. “I feel like it could of upset a lot of people. (Her) promotion of not eating meat or eating less meat is good, but she could have taken more an indirect route to ween people onto the idea.”

In a follow-up statement regarding Michigan Agricultural Day, Granholm noted that the state’s poultry industry produces 2.7 billion eggs each year, at an annual value of $211.5 million.

“Whether Michiganians celebrate Michigan Agriculture Day with a cheeseburger made with Michigan beef and dairy or a soup made with Michigan beans, I hope people throughout the state take a moment to enjoy Michigan’s agricultural bounty on Saturday,” she said in the statement.

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