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Volunteer of the Month
MFB's Volunteers of the Month are selected by a panel of discerning staff judges who work with Farm Bureau members statewide in a variety of program areas. Nomination forms are available at all county offices, or by contacting Lori Chamberlain at the MFB Young Farmer Department at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234.
Brenda VanHouten
January, 2007 Volunteer of the Month
Farm Bureau honors Marion member for service, dedication
Missaukee County farmer Brenda VanHouten has been recognized by Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) as the organization's Volunteer of the Month for January 2007. VanHouten was chosen for her exceptional work educating young people about agriculture through the Missaukee County Farm Bureau's Promotion and Education (P&E) program.
VanHouten has taken the lead on several local P&E initiatives in and around Missaukee County. She routinely presents Ag in the Classroom lessons about DNA and biotechnology for fifth-graders in McBain schools, and last August took advantage of an opportunity to present the same material to 40 inner-city youngsters visiting the area from Washington, D.C.
At her county Farm Bureau's annual Project RED (Rural Education Day), VanHouten added instruction about sheep and horses to the existing farm safety programming, to the benefit of the more than 500 children who attend the event every year. She has also been instrumental in getting local schools to participate in the annual Agriculture Week poster contest for third-graders.
"Brenda stays very active," wrote her nominator for Volunteer of the Month honors. "She's always ready for a new idea and jumps in with both feet."
After proving her mettle at the local level for several years, VanHouten was asked to serve on MFB's state-level P&E committee, where she continues to contribute her infectious talents and energy.
"She is just so upbeat and shares her enthusiasm with everyone," her nominator wrote, adding that she also brings some very practical skills to every activity she touches.
"Brenda is very organized, plans meetings and keeps everyone abreast of the progress each program is achieving."
Also at the state level, VanHouten has for two consecutive years volunteered her time and efforts toward helping staff MFB's Miracle of Life exhibit at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit.
VanHouten and her husband Steve own and operate a tire sales and service business specializing in farm, logging and trucking equipment. At home in Richland Township near Marion, they maintain a 160-acre hay and corn farm, with some 45 head of feeder cattle and 15 horses. The couple has three grown children: Chad, 22, and 24-year-old twins Stephanie and Samantha.
