Great Lakes agriculture is among the most diverse and valuable in the country. Whether it is cherries, cranberries, dairy products or vegetables, the region's farmers produce multiple high-value crops and farm products for consumption here and abroad.

This diversity of production, which supports large processing and agribusiness industries and employs millions of people, is possible thanks to a favorable climate, good soil quality and an abundance of water. Located on the largest freshwater system in the world, Great Lakes farmers and the agricultural economy are both dependent upon and contribute to the functioning of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

However, the region's water supply—once believed to be almost infinite—is currently under threat from development, pollution and water withdrawals. Wells have gone dry in several areas within the basin due to nearby ground water pumping. The ability of aquifers to recharge continues to drop because of the spread of sprawl and pavement. And there is increasing interest in the Lakes from dry areas such as the Southwest looking to meet their growing needs for water.

In recognition of these threats—current, near-term and potential—governments of basin states and provinces have developed a regulatory framework called Annex 2001 to protect and improve the Great Lakes ecosystem and water resources. For current Great Lakes farmers and the generations to come, such protection is crucial in guaranteeing agriculture's future in the region.

E&A has been active in promoting a sustainable framework for water use, withdrawals and availability in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin. Working in conjunction with agricultural, environmental and other concerned Basin organizations and enterprises, E&A has worked to improve awareness of agriculture's impact on water availability, promote incentives and other policy mechanisms that can promote water conservation on farms without jeopardizing farm profitability and conducted outreach to farmers and farm organizations on water use, policies and aspects.

Related publications

• Comment to Council of Great Lakes Governors on the Great Lakes Basin Water Resource Compact
  By Mark Muller
  2005
• Waters in Common: Protecting Water and Farming in the Great Lakes Basin
  by Jim Kleinschmit, Mark Muller and Dennis Keeney
  2004
• Impacts of Agriculture on Water Quantity in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
  by IATP
  2004