Gov. Snyder Celebrates Math and Agriculture on National Pi Day
LANSING – In honor of National Pi Day – a day noted by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14 – and Michigan Agriculture Day, Governor Rick Snyder joined the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), Michigan Farm Bureau, and the Grand Traverse Pie Company in encouraging Michiganders to celebrate math, education, and agriculture.
“Today Michigan highlights two of my favorite things – math and agriculture. Both play key roles in driving Michigan’s reinvention,” said Snyder. “I’m thrilled to partner with the Michigan Farm Bureau and with one of our own home-grown businesses like Grand Traverse Pie Company to celebrate mathematics education, its critical role in Michigan’s future, and the economic importance of our state’s food and agriculture industry.”
“Education of our youth lays the foundation for the continued growth of Michigan’s agri-food sector. There are many opportunities for science and math majors including food scientists, microbiologists, large animal veterinarians, and more,” said Keith Creagh, MDARD Director. “Today recognizes that with an educated and trained workforce, Michigan’s future will continue to be bright.”
MDARD and Michigan Farm Bureau have partnered with the Michigan-based Grand Traverse Pie Company to commemorate the day. As part of the statewide celebration of agriculture and education, several Grand Traverse Pie Company locations will be offering customers in their store at 3:14 p.m. a free slice of a Michigan fruit-filled pie for 31.4 minutes.
Pi, Greek letter (), is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi = 3.1415926535…With the use of computers, Pi has been calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the decimal. Pi is an irrational and transcendental number meaning it will continue infinitely without repeating. The symbol for pi was first used in 1706 by William Jones, but was popular after it was adopted by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737.
“Our organization – and the 46,000 Michigan farm families it represents – are deeply appreciative of the governor recognizing the value of agriculture,” said Wayne H. Wood, president of Michigan Farm Bureau. “Gov. Snyder’s consistent support of agriculture throughout his tenure has been a real source of pride and security for those of us who work in the state’s second-largest industry. Farmers are an integral part of revitalizing Michigan.”
“We at Grand Traverse Pie Company are honored to help shine a light on the quality of both the agricultural bounty of our state and the important role that education plays within our state on Pi Day,” said Mike Busley, Co-Founder Grand Traverse Pie Company. “Only through Michigan’s superior fruits and crops can we make our wonderful pies. Furthermore, Denise and I would not have been able to craft these pies into a growing business without the quality education which we received in Michigan; both in the public school system and at Michigan State University.”
Participating Grand Traverse Pie Company locations are:
Ann Arbor, 291 North Zeeb Road
Burton, 2350 South Center Road
East Lansing , 1403 East Grand River Road
Lansing Downtown, 200 South Washington Square
Midland, 2600 North Saginaw Road
Okemos, 3536 Meridian Crossing Drive
Troy, 1446 West Maple Road
Traverse City, the Original Pie Shop, 525 West Front Street
Traverse City, Park Street Pie Shop, 101 North Park Street