Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced a new round of appointments and reappointments to several state-level agriculture commodity boards. Among those selected, six county Farm Bureau members were named to board positions to help guide research, promotion, and outreach efforts for their respective commodity organizations.
Michigan Corn Marketing Program Committee
Isabella County Farm Bureau member Mark McDonald, of Mt. Pleasant, was appointed to represent District 9 growers. McDonald is executive director emeritus of Central Michigan University’s Office of Information Technology, president of McDonald Trucking, and owns a large farming operation. He succeeds Northwest Michigan County Farm Bureau member Paul Wagner.
Kory Brodbeck of Woodland was reappointed to represent District 5 growers. Brodbeck owns Brodbeck Farms and Brodbeck Seed Sales.
The appointees will serve through March 2028.
Other growers currently serving on the committee include:
- Brett Brink, an Allegan County Farm Bureau member from Hamilton
- Philip Gordon, a Washtenaw County Farm Bureau member from Saline
- Daniel Keenan, a Saginaw County Farm Bureau member from Merrill
- Matthew Holysz, a Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau member from Vicksburg
- Ned Wyse, a Hillsdale County Farm Bureau member from Camden
- Dave Rupprecht, a Tuscola County Farm Bureau member from Vassar
- Scott Miller, Elsie
The Michigan Corn Marketing Program Committee enhances the economic position of Michigan corn growers by providing for the growth and expansion of the corn industry in Michigan through foreign and domestic market development, promotion, and research that will stimulate the demand for corn.
Michigan Potato Industry Commission
Monroe County Farm Bureau member Travis Horkey, of Dundee, was reappointed to represent the fresh potato industry. He is a partner at Horkey Brother Farms and holds a B.S. in agriculture from MSU.
Montcalm County Farm Bureau member Chase Young, of Howard City, was appointed to represent the fresh potato industry, succeeding Ryan Norton. He is a partner at Sandyland Farms.
Otsego County Farm Bureau member John Makarewicz, of Elmira, was appointed to represent the seed potato industry, succeeding Mathew Skogman. He is a partner at Marker Farms.
Wexford County Farm Bureau member Ryan Johnson, of Tustin, was reappointed to represent shippers. He owns A.L. Johnson and Sons, a potato packing facility, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saginaw Valley State University.
Kali Bagley of Waterford was appointed to represent retailers. Bagley is general manager at Downey’s Potato Chips and holds a B.S. in communications and advertising from Michigan State University. She succeeds Philip Gusmano.
Ryan Pelletier of McMillan was reappointed to represent the seed potato industry. He is a farm manager at Walther Farms and holds a B.S. in crop and soil sciences from MSU.
Ryan Norton of Vicksburg was appointed to represent the fresh potato industry, succeeding Jonathon Yoder. Norton is a farm manager at Walther Farms and holds a B.A. in engineering and applied sciences from Western Michigan University.
Michael Phillips of Portage was reappointed to represent the snack potato industry. He is a supply manager at Walther Farms and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain management from WMU.
These appointees will serve through July 2028.
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission was created to foster and promote an economically viable potato industry in Michigan by providing responsible leadership for the industry. The Commission provides leadership in disseminating information to foster the growth and well-being of the potato industry, all the while representing the interests of the industry at state, national, and international levels.
Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee
Monroe County Farm Bureau member Brad Kamprath, of Ida was reappointed to represent District 3 growers. He co-manages Kamprath Farms and holds a certificate in agricultural technologies from MSU.
Anthony Bohac of Owosso was reappointed to represent District 6 growers. He owns Bohac Farms and holds degrees in education from Alma College and Central Michigan University.
The appointees will serve a term through May 2028.
Other growers currently serving on the committee include:
- Jeffrey Krohn, a Huron County Farm Bureau member from Owendale
- Carl Wagner, a Berrien County Farm Bureau member from Niles
- Jason Dunning, a Newyago County Farm Bureau member from Fremont
- James Doyle, Grand Rapids
- Dwight Bartle, Brown City
The Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee seeks to promote the production and consumption of wheat grown in Michigan and assists in the agricultural research and development of wheat products.
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