Paula Lynn Wedde - Berrien Center, Berrien County

Paula Wedde, 27, is a fourth-generation farmer. She works on her grandfather's fruit and vegetable farm and grows apples on her own acreage.

Wedde performs a variety of jobs between the two operations. Among the responsibilities on her grandfather's farm are managing work crews and assisting with brokerage services. She also developed and runs the farm's food safety program, which plays an increasing role in marketing efforts. On her own farm, Wedde is committed to supplying quality apples for the fresh market.

Within the community, Wedde is active with the Trinity Lutheran Church and School and has been a longtime supporter and volunteer with the Berrien County Youth Fair. As the 2005 Michigan Apple Queen, she was a visible and vocal advocate for the industry.

A member of the Berrien County Farm Bureau, Wedde currently serves as vice president and chairperson of the Policy Development and Membership Committees. As a former Young Farmer Committee chairperson, she helped make global positioning systems available to members on loan for fulfilling state water reporting requirements. Wedde received a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Andrews University. She and her husband Stephen have a son.