LAPEER -- Agriculture is Michigan’s second largest industry and a vital part of local communities.

NBC25 went to the Farmology event in Lapeer to learn how important it is to support local farmers.

What do these funny looking guys, winter squash, and this delicious apple all have in common?

They’re all grown by Michigan farmers.

The second annual Farmology event took place in Lapeer Wednesday, touting the benefits of farms in local communities.

Will Bristol is a seventh generation apple farmer and says eating an apple a day truly does keep the doctor away.

“I'm a pretty healthy guy,” said Will Bristol, the Assistant Farm Manager of Brookwood Fruit Farm.

Brookwood Fruit Farm produces 40 apple varieties, where at a commercial farm you'll only see ten.

“So we are trying to pull you out of those grocery stores for your apple purchase by luring you in with something you haven't tried before,” said Bristol.

And these apples are used to feed Michigan’s horses and cows.

“I love cows!” said 4-year-old Raymond.

 I love cows too, and found out dairy farming is the top ranking segment of Michigan’s agricultural industry.

A typical cow weighs 1,600 pounds, drinks a bathtub full of water and produces about ten gallons of milk a day.

“Keep drinking that milk, it keeps us busy,” said Dairy Farmer, Bill Ankley.

And these teens with the Future Farmers of America say it takes 12 gallons of milk to make just one pound of ice cream.

“It’s important to support your local farmers because they're the ones that are actually the small businesses, like the crops they're bringing to the larger production farmers, that is where our food is getting made,” said Erika Garant, a member of the FFA in Lapeer County.

And then there are Michigan’s Alpaca farmers.

Alpaca hair is used to make all kinds of clothes because it’s extremely soft, four times warmer than wool, and hypoallergenic, plus...

“They adore children, they won't hurt you, they don't kick, they don't bite,” said Debbie Verbeke of Funny Face Alpaca Farm.

In all, Michigan farmers produce more than 200 different foods and fiber products.

Michigan contributes more than $73 billion annually to the state's economy.

The Farmology event was sponsored by the Lapeer County Farm Bureau, 4H, and the Lapeer Center Building.