Michigan’s center for asparagus production is Oceana County. With the arrival of canning companies in the region during the early 20th century, farmers began planting asparagus with the intent of producing an early spring cash crop that also served as a fine food that could be shipped coast to coast. In a 1980 letter, the state of Michigan cited that asparagus contributed 10 million dollars to Oceana County’s economy and 25 million to the state’s economy. Because of the vegetable’s vital role, the county has hosted the annual National Asparagus Festival since 1974.
