Michigan Sen. Roger Victory: MSU agriculture research is ‘game changer’ across Michigan, nation, world
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EmailAs a Michigan state senator and farmer, Roger Victory recognizes the role of research to advance the Michigan agriculture economy.
This story is part of a series highlighting the impact of MSU AgBioResearch’s work with Michigan agriculture and natural resources told through our stakeholders' perspectives. Through partnerships with the State of Michigan and industries, MSU AgBioResearch is finding solutions to some of the most timely problems facing our state. To view the entire series, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.
LANSING, Mich. — When Michigan Sen. Roger Victory, 31st District, travels around the state, he wears two hats. Not literally, of course, although he typically does sport headwear that displays his affection for agriculture.
Prior to his election as a state senator in 2018, Victory served for six years in the Michigan House of Representatives. Throughout his time in state government, he has also led Victory Farms LLC, a specialty crop operation, and Victory Sales LLC, a nationwide produce distributor. His passion for agriculture is one of the driving forces behind his work in the legislature.
“Some call me ‘Farmer Rog’ and some call me ‘Senator Rog,’ but I’d much rather go by ‘Farmer Rog,’” he said. “People appreciate farmers more than elected officials.”
During discussions with colleagues and constituents, Victory has noticed something encouraging.
“I’ve discovered there is a really deep desire for people to learn about agriculture and where their food comes from,” he said. “In Michigan, we’re blessed with diversity and more than 300 commodities. There’s a saying about how we’re the second-most diverse agricultural state in the country. I like to rephrase that as we’re the most diverse agricultural state with great access to water. That opens up so many possibilities for our farmers.”
Victory mentioned that conversations about agriculture with fellow legislators and Michigan residents are not limited to rural communities. In fact, he said, those from urban areas have at times expressed an even greater interest.
“I look at the legislative body, and I’m very enthused that people may be from an urban or rural area, but the passion is there,” he said. “Sometimes there’s an even higher interest in urban areas. I think the script has been flipped, especially in the last 10 years or so. Things like food awareness, food as medicine, this is the new narrative out there.
“We look at healthcare costs and how they’re escalating. One of the remedies for healthcare costs is what we can do on Michigan farms, providing a healthy and nutritious diet, and educating people about the benefits of that. I think the opportunity is huge for that education, and there’s an audience in the legislature and around the state that’s eager to hear the message.”
Victory highlighted research through Michigan State University AgBioResearch and outreach through MSU Extension as mechanisms to provide answers to large-scale problems. MSU AgBioResearch Director George Smith said legislative backing is crucial to those efforts.
“We’re dedicated to addressing many of the grand challenges facing society today — nutrition, food access, food security and agricultural sustainability — which also means workforce development to train students to work in agriculture,” Smith said. “To do that, we need support from growers, ranchers and producers, along with the State of Michigan. Sen. Victory has been a leading advocate for our work in these areas.”
As he gets older, Victory said he considers the next generation of farmers. He wants to ensure young people see a future in agriculture, and he believes research and outreach through MSU are essential.
“We have a concern about who is going to be that next generation in agriculture,” he said. “Is there an economic climate that attracts those young people? There has to be a financial reward for all of the hard work. You have to be able to support your family. But I think we’re well-equipped in Michigan to deal with those issues through some of the programs at MSU.”
Project GREEEN and the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA) are two of the programs Victory pointed to as important state-funded initiatives moving agriculture forward. Both are partnerships among MSU, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and agriculture industry organizations.
Project GREEEN is in its 27th year of solving emerging plant agriculture problems with insects, diseases, weeds and other production challenges. M-AAA was created a decade ago to address needs in animal agriculture production, including mitigating disease pressures, improving animal welfare and bolstering workforce development.
Victory referenced an M-AAA project on behalf of the dairy industry that led to advancements in feeding strategies. MSU’s Adam Lock, a professor in the Department of Animal Science, found that by feeding dairy cattle a type of soybeans that are high in oleic acid, producers can cut feed costs and increase milk quality. A dairy farmer who partnered with Lock saw a more than $1-per-cow, per-day boost in income over feed cost.
“The reason I’m so passionate about these two funding streams is that they’re not ad hoc funding,” Victory said. “They’re dedicated streams that regardless of the budget cycle, traditionally they’ve been in play. The history of Project GREEEN speaks for itself, and M-AAA is something newer but has been showing results. Just as an example, if you look at the dairy industry and some of the new things there with feeding soybeans and how much it’s adding to the bottom line — those are real numbers that can make a difference between a producer being in business or out of business.
“I’m talking as ‘Farmer Rog,’ we need to continue to emphasize that type of thing to elected officials like ‘Senator Rog.’ At the state level, everyone is competing for those precious few dollars. We need producers to get out there and tell that story to elected officials. Don’t be quiet about it because if you’re quiet, someone else will suck the oxygen out of the room and tell their story.”
To further this type of impactful research, Victory was instrumental in helping MSU secure a $53 million investment from the State of Michigan in 2022 that would fund the construction of the new MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, as well as new and renovated greenhouse facilities.
This funding is transformational for Michigan agriculture, Smith said, and it wouldn’t be possible without support from the agriculture community and the State of Michigan.
“It’s a real testament to what makes Michigan agriculture special, the partnerships and the entire agriculture community rallying behind this type of investment,” Smith said. “We had a lot of support downtown from the legislature, including Sen. Victory and many others, and we’re so appreciative of that.”
The team approach is something Victory mentioned as key to securing the funding, which he still marvels at today.
“There are some exciting times ahead at MSU,” Victory said. “This is an investment that can yield once-in-a-generation outcomes. It was a collaborative effort, and it was not easy. But we aligned ourselves with all of the stakeholders, and amazing things occurred. It’s one of those things that I still pinch myself when I drive by those facilities. But we have to be accountable for those dollars and deliver real value.”
Investments such as the new dairy facility and greenhouses are a catalyst for innovation and industry advancement, Victory said, meant to position MSU as a global leader in agriculture research and outreach.
“I have traveled the world, and many times MSU has come up, especially with agriculture,” Victory said. “I want to continue to see MSU as a game changer here in the state of Michigan, the nation and worldwide. The issues MSU is dealing with are critical no matter where you live.”
Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and agriculture to natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.
