Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist spent the day Thursday at the Upper Peninsula State Fair. Gilchrist filled in at the annual governor’s luncheon for Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who had a scheduling conflict.
“I’m so proud to be back here at the U.P. State Fair,” Gilchrist said. “The Yooper community at this fair is amazing. This is all about celebrating our culture, our community, our agriculture, and our rural and outdoor economy.”
Gilchrist also took time to honor Ray Carlson, the Negaunee man who was named Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year. Gilchrist was one of the dignitaries on hand to introduce Carlson, along with Congressman Jack Bergman and State Senator Ed McBroom.
“For decades, Ray has served, mentored, led, and quietly done the hard work that strengthens a community,” Gilchrist said.
Later, the lieutenant governor was joined by state agriculture director Tim Boring to highlight several state grants for agriculture, infrastructure and conservation projects throughout the UP.
“Agriculture is the foundation of prosperous and resilient communities,” Boring said. “MDARD is investing strategically to help expand the UP s agriculture economy, strengthen local food systems, preserve our natural resources and improve quality of life for UP families.”
The two said that in 2025 alone, the department has invested in more than a dozen major projects across the UP, including:
- Ishpeming, Negaunee and Ely Township – $300,000 for threeprojects to build safe drinking water infrastructure and replace failing sewer line.
- Ishpeming – $100,000 to support the Partridge Creek Community Farm s expansion project, which will boost production yields and increase community access to locally grown food.
- Escanaba – $100,000 to help Rainbow Packing, Inc. update and expand their processing capabilities, generating two full-time jobs and one part-time job.
- Iron River – $100,000 to Willis Family Maple Farm LLC to expand and modernize their maple sugar operation, generating one full-time and four part-time jobs.
- Marquette – $100,000 to install a rooftop solar project at Northern Michigan University to reduce campus utility costs.
- Marquette – $65,448 to help Lakeshore Depot L3C implement and operate a local food distribution project that will improve families access to Michigan-grown produce.
Boring also joined Michigan State University Extension for a ribbon-cutting ceremony inaugurating a new emergency response trailer for the Western UP. The trailer will operate under MSU’s Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock program, for which the state kicked in nearly $500,000.
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