With the diversity of Michigan agriculture, over 300 different crops and animals raised in the state, the options are endless when it comes to incorporating them into your home. Besides eating and enjoying Michigan GROWN produce and meats, how else can agriculture impact your daily lives? 

Get crafty and support Michigan farmers by creating DIY projects that make great additions to your self care routines or wonderful gifts. Many agricultural products can be easily made into useful household or even spa day items! Continue reading to learn how you can incorporate Michigan GROWN products into a sugar scrub, soap, and even an air freshener!

Make a pure, all natural Pioneer Sugar body scrub to support the beet farmers of Michigan!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Pioneer sugar
• ½ cup coconut oil
• Optional, 20-25 drops of essential oil

Instructions:

• Soften coconut oil by microwaving a few seconds.
• Combine sugar and coconut oil in a bowl, stir until completely mixed.
• Add essential oils if desired, stir again.
• Store in airtight containers.
• Enjoy the sweet scrub!

The Best Beef Tallow Soap: 

Pour up some vitamin rich soap made straight from beef byproducts!

Ingredients:

• 30 oz of tallow
• 3.88 oz of lye
• 11 oz of distilled water

Instructions:

• Melt the tallow in a crockpot.
• Before the tallow is completely melted, begin measuring the lye and water.
• ALWAYS add the lye into the water. Doing the opposite could lead to a messy chemical reaction.
• Stir the lye/water mixture until the lye is dissolved. The mixture will heat up due to the reaction of chemicals, so handle with caution. 
• Slowly add the lye/water mixture into the crockpot with the tallow.
• Stir or use an immersion blender until the mixture reaches a trace consistency. Trace is like a pudding consistency that holds its shape.
• Place the lid on the crockpot and allow to cook on LOW for 45-60 minutes.
• Conduct the soap zap test. Take a small amount of the mixture, allow it to cool, then touch it to your tongue. If there is a “zap” sensation, there is still lye in the mixture and it needs to stay in the crockpot longer to cook the lye out.
• Once it passes the zap test, scoop mixture into desired molds and allow to set for 12-24 hours. 
• Remove from mold, cut if needed, then allow to cure for 1-2 weeks.
• Suds away with your new beef tallow soap!

*Helpful hints: 

• Make measurements in weight, rather than volume. This helps with accuracy when formulating the tallow soaps. 
• Find tallow by contacting a local butcher shop and asking if they have any tallow or beef fat you can have or purchase.
• Lye, or sodium hydroxide, is an important chemical in soap making and helps the mixture harden, yet soften with water.
• Make soap in a well ventilated space to prevent stagnant air during chemical use.

Freshen up your spa day space with lavender sachets!

Ingredients: per 5×7 inch sachet bag

• 1 ½ cups of lavender
• 2 cups of uncooked white rice
• Sachet bags

Instructions:

• Obtain lavender and begin the drying process.
• Hang lavender bunches upside down in a dry, warm, dark environment. Allow to dry out for 7-10 days.
• Rub buds and leaves off the stem and combine with rice.
• Place mixture in the sachet bag.
• Enjoy the smell of lavender throughout your home!

*Helpful hints:

• Source your lavender by finding lavender farms in your area. Looking up “lavender farms near me” should help to find local lavender farmers. Lavender can also be purchased pre-dried online or in some stores.
• If picking fresh lavender, harvest at or after bloom for optimal scent.
• 16 ounces of lavender roughly equates to 14 cups.
• The white rice helps to add weight to the sachet, so it is optional.
• Lavender sachets can have strong lavender scents for over a year! 
• Sachets are often placed in closets or drawers to freshen up those spaces.

Kassie Acker is in her final year at Michigan State University where she will be earning her degree in Agriculture Education with minors in Agronomy, Agribusiness Management, and Environmental Studies & Sustainability. Raised in St. Louis, Michigan, she was welcomed into the world of agriculture through her county 4-H and high school FFA program.