Several Farm Bureau members are among Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's recent appointments to the Michigan Corn Marketing Program Committee, Michigan Cherry Committee and the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission. All appointees are subject to Senate approval.
Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau member Emily Miezio of Suttons Bay is the receiving station manager for Cherry Bay Orchards. Miezio will represent District 1 tart cherry growers through Feb. 1, 2024.
Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau member Mark Schilling of St. Joseph is the owner of Schilling Family Farms, LLC and Mick Klug Farm. Schilling was first appointed to the committee in 2015 and currently serves as the treasurer. Schilling is reappointed to represent District 3 tart cherry growers through Feb. 1, 2024.
Juliette McAvoy of Central Lake is the vice president of sales and marketing for King Orchards, Inc. McAvoy holds bachelor's degrees in agribusiness management and horticulture from Michigan State University (MSU). She is appointed to represent District 1 tart cherry growers through Feb. 1, 2024.
Allegan County Farm Bureau member Brett Brink of Hamilton is the operations manager at Golden Grain Farms. Brink was first appointed to the committee in 2018. He is reappointed to represent District 4 growers through Mar. 5, 2024.
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau member Philip Gordon of Saline is the owner of Gordon Valley Farms. He holds a bachelor of science degree in dairy science. Gordon is appointed to represent District 3 growers through Mar. 5, 2024.
Saginaw County Farm Bureau member Daniel Keenan of Merrill is the owner of Keenan Farms. Keenan holds a bachelor of science in agribusiness management from MSU. He is appointed to represent District 8 growers through Mar. 5, 2024.
Shiawassee County Farm Bureau member Scott Miller of Elsie is the owner of Miller Family Farms. He was first appointed to the committee in 2018. Miller is reappointed to represent District 6 growers through Mar. 5, 2024.
Van Buren County Farm Bureau member Trever Meachum of Hartford is the production manager and partner at High Acres Fruit Farm. He holds a bachelor's degree in horticulture from MSU. Meachum is reappointed to represent District 3 growers through Mar. 1, 2024.
Ottawa County Farm Bureau member Charles Rasch of Conklin is the owner of Windy Ridge Orchards, LLC, a family farm growing apples and peaches. He is reappointed to represent District 2 growers through Mar. 1, 2024.
James Nugent of Suttons Bay is a co-owner of Sunblossom Orchards and a retired horticulturalist from the MSU Extension Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station. He holds degrees in horticulture and entomology from MSU. Nugent is reappointed to represent District 1 growers through Mar. 1, 2024.