Michigan AF Podcast

Chris and his family live in Monroe County and grow corn, soybeans, wheat, plus some organic acres.  He also is a sales representative for Actagro.  Currently, Chris and his wife Rachelle spend a lot of time gazing adoringly at their 7-month-old daughter Adelaide.  As a seventh generation farmer, his family has been farming the same ground since 1831 … which sets them up perfectly for a bicentenni...

Scott Ferry is a fourth generation dairy, beef, and crop farmer in Litchfield.  He was Sparty in college, and now he brings that same enthusiasm to his farm and family!  When he’s not working, he’s skiing, hiking, or keying his own farm truck.        Listen as Scott talks about: The blood, sweat, tears - and dancing - involved in being Sparty How he and his wife Ali celebrate the end of each harve...

Luke DeHaan is a blueberry farmer in Ottawa County.  After he graduated with an engineering degree and worked as a civil engineer for six years, he decided to join his wife and her family on the farm.  They now run a processing facility, a farm, a market - and during the winter months, a snowplowing business.  90-hour weeks are the norm during the busy season, but it doesn’t matter - all of his ki...

Shelly Hartmann of South Haven is a blueberry farmer at True Blue Farms. She and her husband Dennis, along with their family and like-family team members, run a blueberry farm that covers growing, packaging, retail, u-pick, online, and catalog sales. They have been called the largest blueberry growing operation in the country – plus, they grow cranberries and apples! Shelly serves on several indus...

Gregg Smyth worked at Phillips Orchards and Cider Mill as a hobby until he and Brian Phillips decided to make the family farm their full-time business. Gregg now runs the Gatehouse Market, enjoys the benefits of small-town living, and works as a flight attendant in his free time. Listen as Gregg talks about: The long family history surrounding Phillips Orchards Forming relationships with local, ta...

Matt Scramlin has had a lot of roles, like a regional rep for Michigan Farm Bureau, a trainer at American Farm Bureau, an auctioneer, a meatcutter, and a sheep farmer, but through all of it he’s been one thing – a Farm Bureau junkie. Listen as he talks about his family’s long history with the organization, showing and judging sheep around the country, and how his work takes him through the food cy...

Ben LaCross is a cherry farmer in Leelenau County, the cherry capital of the world. He and his wife Kelsey are competing in Traverse City’s half Ironman Triathlon, he’s working on solving agricultural issues, they’re raising three kids going in different directions, and he’s focused on raising a great crop every year. Ben covers: The charming story of how he met his wife, the Cherry Queen, on his...

Natalie Pennington is a “stay at farm” mom of two. She and her family have a farm market called Hearty Harvest, raise sheep, provide agtainment, and host dinners on the farm. She is the youth minister at her church, has gone on missions to Guatemala and Haiti, and is married to a man who joins in the 5-9 lifestyle along with his 9-5 job. Listen as she talks about: The ‘What’s in my Food’ dinner on...

Kelly Leach is a fourth generation farmer on Avalon Farms in Climax. Her family grows hydroponic lettuce, tomatoes, and vegetables. Listen as she talks about her beloved Michigan State Spartans, new food trailer adventure, coaching cheerleading, and how she will cook a meal for anyone … or give them a kidney. She talks about: Family roles, and how they can read each other’s moods How great employe...

Keely Efaw enjoys advocating for agriculture so much that she’s even earned a title - Michigan Miss Agriculture USA. She spends her time earning her associate’s degree in agriculture technology and spoiling her dogs, including a one-eyed bird dog. She’s looking forward to experiencing the excitement and sadness of her last year of cattle showing. She shares about her: Love of animals and plan to w...

Michael DeRuiter is a tart cherry, apple, and peach farmer in Hart, Michigan. After getting his MBA – even though he originally planned on leaving after an associate’s degree – he returned home to farm with his family. He and his high school sweetheart are married, raising a son they adore, and dealing with the alternating stressors and joys that come with a farm. He talks about: Harvesting and th...

Ed McBroom is both a senator and dairy farmer who hails from Vulcan, in the U.P. Listen as he speaks candidly about playing Rachmaninov, directing the Norway City Band, how farming and family intertwine, and what a perfect day on the farm looks like to him. He covers: How politics, teaching, and farming all come together How his wonderful family, colleagues, and staff are helping him through a dif...

Joe Ankley is an ag educator in Huron County. He also dairy farms, grows crops, raises grass fed beef, and leads the North Huron FFA. He’s also the 2019 winner of the Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Excellence in Ag Award. How does he have more time than everyone else? He talks about: Purchasing 50 acres to grow soybeans The three greenhouses at school, including growing crayfish, shrimp, and 60...

Amanda Kutchey from Macomb County runs a fruit and vegetable farm with her family, and she’s also a crop insurance agent for GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Aside from work, she likes to travel … and visit farms on her trips! Where do you find broccoli in the wild? Ask her husband. She talks about: Wanting to be an engineer before finding out about the existence of agribusiness Eating fruits and...

Emily Crambell is the Education and Outreach Manager at the IQhub, the learning center for agricultural history, innovation, and exploration, and she and her husband also operate a dairy farm near Owosso. Throw in horses, kids, and roller derby skating … meet Crazy Horse! She shares about: Being a former ag teacher Her husband’s septic business and environmental care Her farm-obsessed son How her...

Kate Avery is Director of Marketing & Sales at Brewery Vivant, a brewpub, restaurant, and microbrewery in Grand Rapids.  Brewery Vivant is also the winner of the Michigan Grown, Michigan Great Restaurant Full Service Award.  Listen as Kate talks about how her history background helps her tell the rich and compelling story of craft beer. She shares about: Brewery Vivant’s triple bottom line app...

Meet Chris Creguer, a territory manager for Pioneer Seeds, plus a corn, soybean, wheat and dry bean farmer, in Michigan's thumb region. He shares about:  An impressive airport feat...er,shin? How a debate about GMOs turned into a date, a wedding, five years and two kids.  The joy of growing up on a cattle farm and how that evolved into a career.  Revisiting a Super Bowl commercial  Where fami...

Dani Dryer farms fulltime with her parents and sister to grow about 900 acres of crops including corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. The family also works on custom-tiling fields for other farmers. She shares about: Things that’ve changed on their farm since she and her siblings were younger The path that led her back home to her family’s farm A mental picture, including restaurant recommendations,...

Meet Dirk Okkema, a dairy and sheep farmer from west Michigan. He also works fulltime as a member representative of a dairy cooperative. He shares about: A brief history of how his parents met and came to be farmers in the U.S. What’s involved in “lambing” season An overview of the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program Regional differences he notices while he travels an average of...

Meet Sean Trowbridge, who spoke with us on a snowy day in Goodrich (near Flint). He started a farm with his dad a little over 10 years ago with pigs, bees, turkeys, a big garden and hops. Since then they’ve narrowed their focus, and he shares with us about: What’s needed to grow, package and sell his 17 acres of hops to Michigan brewers Challenges that may arise for their strong, aggressive-growin...

Sarah Mathe farms with her husband and their two young children on her family’s centennial farm in southeast Michigan. They raise corn, soybeans and wheat, plus cattle and sheep. Listen in as she talks about: Stories about her four-year-old daughter’s unique dress-up experiences Family stories about time spent together and business transition Responsibilities she balances as a mother, farmer and v...

Travis Fahley raises cash crops, hay and straw with his dad. He shares about: The roles other family members play in the farm dynamic The balance between sports and video games Sport/school rivalries in just one household His least favorite job on the farm Foods they’re eating in their household Something Michigan should have more of & travel destination ideas Things he’s working on in the win...

It’s time to meet Carrie Preston! Carrie shares with us about lessons learned on the farm and through teaching about agricultural science. Topics include: What interests people most about her farm How Carrie chose to become an agriscience educator Transitioning into farming What sports teams her household roots for An activity that is a relief from camo and guns A surprising destination their fami...

Meet Brian Preston. He farms with his dad, uncle and cousin to raise 1,500 acres of crops, plus 10,000 pigs per year AND milk 800 dairy cows in south-central Michigan. In this episode, we hear about: How and why their dairy and pig businesses have grown Brian’s passion in the business A simple solution to feed “shrink” in your household Activities that fill up his family’s days Something surprisin...

Mick Kokx retired from Michigan State University. He raises locally-grown produce and meat goats in southwest Michigan. He shares about: Why he traveled to New Orleans recently A crisis he dealt with that required a biochemist to find answers to Questions he’s asked about frequently, and who runs the farmstand Which Michigan sports teams – and players – he’s rooting for What career he would choose...