Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of two Oceana County Farm Bureau members to the Michigan Cherry Committee:
Brian Wernstrom, an Oceana County Farm Bureau member from Mears, is the founder, manager and owner of BW Orchards LLC and a field representative at Peterson Farms Inc. He was previously an agricultural input supplier at Wilbur-Ellis and holds a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness management from Michigan State University. Wernstrom is appointed to represent District 2 sweet cherry growers through February 2028. He succeeds Mason County Farm Bureau member David Hackert, whose term has expired.
Caleb Herrygers, an Oceana County Farm Bureau member from Hart, is the operations manager for Herrygers Farms. He holds a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness management with a specialty in food and industry management from Michigan State University. Herrygers is reappointed to represent District 2 tart cherry growers through February 2028.
Also appointed to the committee is Leisa Eckerle, of Suttons Bay. She is the owner of Benjamin Twiggs and was previously the manager of Eckerle Receiving and Eckerle Farms. She continues to support the operations of her family’s fifth-generation cherry farm. Eckerle holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Grand Valley State University. She is appointed to represent tart cherry growers through February 2029. She succeeds Benzie-Manistee County Farm Bureau member David Smeltzer, whose term has expired.
The Michigan Cherry Committee was developed for the purpose of improving the economic position of the Michigan red tart and sweet cherry growers by creating greater marketing opportunities for their fruit. The Committee conducts advertising and promotion programs, assembles, and disseminates market information, and supports research into new marketing methods.