Michigan Dealer Shifts to Selling Lawn, Garden Equipment

The Traverse City Record-Eagle shared a bit of news recently about a business in Williamsburg, Mich., that hinted at bigger issues in the industry.

The business, Classic Farm Equipment has shifted its inventory from agricultural equipment to lawn and garden and land management.

The store’s owner, Donald Pishney, told the newspaper that farming in Michigan has declined dramatically since he opened in 1994, and it has become more land-intensive and specialized. Crops like hops are replacing corn and soybeans.

“It is surprising how many tractors we sell to people interested in starting or maintaining a vineyard, and recently hops farmers,” Pishney said. “Hops farming is growing exponentially …”

He said the store is following a trend by stocking smaller equipment used for specialty foods, herbs and hops used locally in vineyards, craft breweries and organic food restaurants. S