Opinion: OMP Farmers Need the Wineries to be Profitable

(Editor’s Note: Fifth generation OMP farmer (and my brother) Ward Johnson says that the wineries have each done an excellent job of creating an aesthetically pleasing place on the Peninsula. And that the legacy farmers who’ve been here for generations need the wineries to be profitable and successful. Above is a photo of his crew planting apple trees on his farm earlier this year. Read more of his thoughts below. And if you’ve got something to say about anything related to the Old Mission Peninsula, write it up and send it to me, [email protected]. -jb)

Through the efforts of many concerned citizens and groups, including Peninsula Township, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, Protect the Peninsula, and the State of Michigan, the Old Mission Peninsula has been saved!

You can see the fruit of everyone’s labor when you take a drive out of Traverse City; the pleasant views overlooking the bays, open land created through the strategic use of Planned Unit Developments, scenic turnoffs to stop and enjoy the views, the many township and state parks, and our preserved farmland that doesn’t allow for further residential development. The foresight and hard work of these citizens and groups has paid off.

All of the wineries have done an excellent job of using their own unique area of the Old Mission Peninsula to be aesthetically pleasing, inviting and respectful to their neighbors. Farmers need these wineries to be profitable, even if it’s through value added services or goods.

Peninsula Township will still grow exponentially, as we have created one of the most desirable places to live.

-Ward Johnson, 5th generation farmer on the Old Mission Peninsula

Also Read…