With area farmers producing more than $726 million in products annually (2022 Ag Census), Ottawa County is an agricultural powerhouse. Also, out of the largest counties in the state, Ottawa County is the fastest growing and has a low unemployment rate. But this positive growth comes at a cost to agriculture: between 2017 and 2022, Ottawa County lost 16% of its farmed acreage and 8% of its farms. Ottawa County’s Farmland Preservation Program seeks to protect this vital industry.

It was a beautiful evening to celebrate local agriculture at Ottawa County’s ninth Farms are the Tapas fundraiser for farmland preservation. Over 160 people gathered on Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Red Shed & Byre 53 event center outside Hudsonville to taste one-of-a-kind tapas dishes, bid on a plethora of unique silent auction items, and support the local agriculture industry. Including auction items, sponsor support, and ticket sales, more than $32,000 was raised for the Farmland Preservation Program at the Farms are the Tapas 2025 event.