Member Login
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.
Mary Willcome
September, 2008 Volunteer of the Month
Farm Bureau honors Ottawa County member for service, dedication
A Marne-area dairy farmer has been named Michigan Farm Bureau's Volunteer of the Month for September 2008 in recognition of her outstanding work developing educational opportunities for young and old alike.
Mary Willcome and her husband John operate a third-generation, 100-head dairy in northeastern Ottawa County. With their children, Jacob and Karla, the Willcomes also raise beef cattle and alfalfa on the 190-acre farm, which should soon receive Centennial Farm recognition from the State of Michigan.
As chair of Ottawa County Farm Bureau's Promotion and Education committee, Willcome this year has demonstrated her commitment to those involved in the local agriculture industry. Earlier in the year, she coordinated a two-day agricultural emergency response training event for almost 30 local firemen and emergency medical technicians. Willcome secured the Berlin Fairgrounds to host the event, worked with local farmers to supply used farm equipment for hands-on demonstrations, and arranged farm tours for participants.
Willcome has also maintained her tradition of deep involvement in county fairs, spending hundreds of hours coordinating giveaways for fair-goers. Thanks to her efforts, more than 2,000 people enjoyed ice cream at Ottawa County fairs this summer. Willcome also organized the assembly and distribution of more than 600 goody bags, stuffed with recipes and informative promotional material donated by organizations representing Michigan's dairy, pork, lamb, wool and apple producers. She also arranged for a combine simulator to be present at this year's Berlin Fair, giving fair-goers the opportunity to experience what it's like to harvest a grain crop from inside one of farming's most iconic vehicles.
"Mary Willcome is not just a volunteer who does an occasional event to promote farming and Farm Bureau," wrote her nominator for Volunteer of the Month honors. "She is also a dedicated farm wife and 4-H volunteer, who brings agricultural lessons to young people in her community.
"She is a tireless worker who gives 110 percent of her energy to working with kids and other volunteers to make sure everyone better understands the farming life she is so committed to. Mary is a dedicated volunteer who never stops giving and who continues to search out new, better ways of taking agriculture's message to the public."
Outside the Promotion and Education program, Willcome also helps grow the Farm Bureau organization itself as a participant in the annual membership campaign. She has also served on the Ottawa County Farm Bureau board of directors, and attended Michigan Farm Bureau's Lansing Legislative Seminar to engage directly with lawmakers on agriculture-related issues.
