Five Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) members were appointed or reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Cherry Committee and Michigan Tree Fruit Commission. All appointees are subject to Senate approval.
“These groups serve an important role in helping to improve the economic position and competitiveness of these commodity sectors through promotional programs, research initiatives, marketing opportunities and more,” said Theresa Sisung, MFB field crops and advisory teams specialist. “It’s great to see so many county Farm Bureau members in these influential roles.”
Michigan Cherry Committee
Mason County Farm Bureau member Dave Hackert, of Ludington, is appointed to represent District 2 sweet cherry growers. He succeeds fellow Mason County Farm Bureau member Daryl Peterson. Hackert is the vice president of Indian Summer Co-op where he oversees farm and process operations and coordinates with growers.
Oceana County Farm Bureau member Caleb Herrygers, of Hart, is appointed to represent District 2 tart cherry growers. He succeeds MFB District 9 Director Mike DeRuiter. Herrygers is the operations manager for Herrygers Farms and serves as Michigan Farm Bureau’s Fruit & Vegetable Advisory Committee chair.
Marc Willmeng, of Watervliet, is appointed to represent District 3 tart cherry growers. He succeeds Van Buren County Farm Bureau member Joseph Muvrin. Willmeng is the owner and manager at Marc Willmeng Farms LLC.
The three appointees will serve a term expiring Feb. 1, 2025.
Other committee members serving active terms include:
- Dave Smeltzer, Benzie-Manistee County Farm Bureau
- Paul Hubbell, Northwest Farm Bureau
- Mark Schilling, Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau
- Emily Miezio, Northwest Farm Bureau
- Juliette McAvoy, Antrim County Farm Bureau
- Andrew Riley, Mears
Michigan Tree Fruit Commission
Northwest Farm Bureau member Mark Miezio, of Suttons Bay, is reappointed to represent District 1 growers. He is the president of Cherry Bay Orchards.
Ottawa County Farm Bureau member Daniel Dietrich, of Conklin, is appointed to represent District 2 growers. He succeeds Oceana County Farm Bureau Michael VanAgtmael. Dietrich is the owner of Ridgeview Farms, a farm operated through family-owned Dietrich Orchards.
Oceana County Farm Bureau member Gerrit Herrygers, of Hart, is appointed to represent District 2 growers. He succeeds Ottawa County Farm Bureau member Jim Engelsma. Herrygers is the lead sales representative and certified crop advisor for Wilbur-Ellis Company and the crop manager for Herrygers Farms.
The three appointees will serve a term expiring March 1, 2025.
Other committee members serving active terms include:
- Steve Thome, Kent County Farm Bureau
- Fred Koenigshof, Berrien County Farm Bureau
- Charles Rasch, Ottawa County Farm Bureau
- Trevor Meachum, Van Buren County Farm Bureau
- James Nugent, Suttons Bay
- Bruce Veliquette, Kewadin