Young Farm Leaders Gain Insight, Skills Up North
More than 350 young farmers from around the state gathered in Acme Feb. 20-22 for Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) 2015 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference (YFLC). Attending from Washtenaw County this year were: Katlin Blaine (Manchester), Chad Fusilier (Manchester), Travis Fusilier (Manchester), Katelyn Horning (Manchester), Natalie Horning (Manchester), Dave & Rachel McCalla (Dexter), Nathan McCalla (Milan), and Julie Thelen (Saline).
Centered on the theme “Step Up, Step Out,” sessions included farm credit and financing, marketing opportunities, farm management software, drone technology, positive messaging, emergency rescue planning and Ag in the Classroom training.
“We try to provide young farmers with the tools necessary to manage their farms and take charge of their future,” said Mark Daniels, chair of the MFB’s state-level Young Farmer committee. “They’re given a host of networking and leadership opportunities to help build stronger relationships throughout the industry and the state.”
Conference participants on four different tours visited Great Lakes Potato Chips, the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Cherry Capitol Foods, Leelanau Fruit Co, Right Brain Brewery, Black Star Farms and Chateau Chantal wineries to learn more about Northern Michigan agriculture.
Washtenaw attendee Katelyn Horning shared this about the tour she chose. “The first of our stops was Great Lakes Potato Chips in Traverse City,” she said. “We got a tour of their facility and enjoyed lots of delicious samples and flavors including buffalo wing and cinnamon and sugar.”
The group then visited Leelanau Fruit Company. “This facility doubles as both a farm and a cherry processing facility,” Horning continued. “We had the opportunity to tour the processing plant and learn more about cherry production.” The last stop on her tour was Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. “This farm has wholly embraced the term agritourism”, said Horning. “With a winery, vineyard, riding stables, petting zoo,
The last stop on her tour was Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. “This farm has wholly embraced the term agritourism,” said Horning. “With a winery, vineyard, riding stables, petting zoo, restaurant, and inn, the farm gets many visitors throughout the year.”
Friday evening, event sponsor GreenStone Farm Credit Services hosted a banquet highlighting outstanding young farm leaders. Ben Mahlich, GreenStone regional vice president, addressed participants.
Keynote speakers included AgChat founder Michele Payn-Knoper and Steve Gilliland. Knoper offered her experience and advice on starting productive food discussions in communities and online. Gilliland shared his blueprint for getting the most out of life in a funny and motivational presentation.
Katelyn Horning took these thoughts away from their presentations: “Michele challenged us to share our ag story through conversation,” Horning said. “She made it clear that talking science doesn’t speak to someone’s heart and speaking to the heart leaves a lasting impression.”
Horning also said that Gilliland taught the group about the importance of making a difference through his fun and memorable stories. “He made his point clear that in each moment we should be trying to make a positive difference in someone else’s life,” she added.
In addition to its educational components, the conference provided young farmers an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from each other. “I really enjoyed the YFLC,” said Katelyn Horning. “I am excited to attend again next year.”
Photo of Washtenaw attendees to the 2015 MFB Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference
(Back row l-r) Katelyn Horning, Katlin Blaine, Natalie Horning, Julie Thelen, Rachel McCalla
(Front row l-r) Travis Fusilier, Chad Fusilier, Nathan McCalla, Dave McCalla
Sponsored by GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Monsanto and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, the Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference offers farmers ages 18 to 35 a combination of leadership development, informative seminars and idea exchanges, all with a focus on building a strong new generation of agricultural producers to lead Michigan’s second-largest industry into the future.
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