Bill to boost sales cap for honey and maple syrup producers advances in Senate

Michigan honey and maple syrup producers stand to benefit from legislation unanimously passed this week by the Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee.

Sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and backed by Michigan Farm Bureau, Senate Bill 93 seeks to raise the annual sales cap for honey and maple syrup producers from $15,000 to $20,000 — aligning them with other businesses operating under Michigan’s cottage food law, which sets guidelines for small-scale and home-based food producers.

“The legislation before us brings the maple syrup and honey producers in Michigan under the same annual sales cap as all other foods in the cottage food law currently,” Singh explained in testimony before the committee. “Maple syrup and honey producers are capped at $15,000 in annual sales, whereas many other products under cottage food are capped at $25,000 in annual sales. 

He added that the bill would “level the playing field” and ensure any future cottage increases to the food law’s sales cap would include maple syrup and honey producers as well.

James Lee, president of the Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan and a Wayne County Farm Bureau member, has been a strong advocate for the bill. 

“Individuals involved in honey and maple syrup production dedicate significant time to marketing their products — whether through farmers markets, direct sales, or online platforms,” Lee said. “Given today’s economy, reaching $15,000 in sales is relatively easy. At that point, the cost of materials and equipment needed for production becomes a significant challenge.”

Raising the sales cap, he added, would allow producers to strengthen their niche markets while continuing to meet customer demand for locally produced honey and maple syrup.

Michigan Farm Bureau supports the legislation, along with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Michigan Farmers Market Association, and more than 300 individual beekeepers from across the state. 

The bill received unanimous committee approval, with yes votes from Sens. Sue Shink (D-Ann Arbor), John Cherry (D-Flint), Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville), and Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton).

The legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration. The House version of the bill, House Bill 4245, sponsored by Rep. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville), was reviewed by the House Agriculture Committee on March 20 but did not come to a vote.