Dr. Chelsea Render – from the Floor of the US Senate to Caring for Manchester’s Large Animals
Dr. Chelsea Render with her fiancé Joe. Photo courtesy of the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.
by Christina Lirones
On a brisk February day, veterinarian Chelsea Render, her fiancé Joe Koengeter, and their dogs Brewtus and Lexie warmly welcomed me to their farm. With a lovely view of sloping farmland, woods and wetlands, a row of bluebird houses in the backyard, and large outbuildings, Dr. Render described their new home as “a perfect fit” for the young couple. And, they are thrilled about putting down roots near both of their families.
The Render family first settled in Manchester, attracted by Washtenaw County’s livestock markets. Chelsea’s Grandpa Harold Render worked for Michigan Livestock Exchange, and was a main buyer of small ruminants. “I learned my sense of responsibility and appreciation for animals from my grandfather,” she said. Render grew up with three brothers, on “a small farm south of town, with lots of sheep and horses;” helping out on the farm, and raising and showing Haflinger horses.
A 2004 graduate of Manchester High School, Render knew she wanted to attend Michigan State University (MSU) to pursue a career in Agriculture. She received her BS in Animal Science in 2009, with a specialization in Agribusiness management. Her undergrad studies brought her in contact with the management side of farming, and aspects of the food industry. She discovered she had a passion for food safety, food production, sales, marketing, and “Farm to Market” concepts.
“When I was accepted to veterinary school, I realized I was on the right path,” she said. Her studies in large animal care were a perfect fit for her interests in the health and responsible treatment of animals, education and advocacy for producers and consumers, and food safety in the food production industry.
Her educational paths at MSU naturally led to an interest in public policy. In 2011, she secured an MSU food systems scholarship for a fellowship in Washington, D.C. where she worked for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, chaired by Michigan’s U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. “The last time a Michigan senator chaired that committee was in 1889,” noted Render.
The committee was working on a major revision to the federal Farm Bill and Render saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Senator Stabenow also valued Render’s unique talents. “Being a farm girl from Michigan filled a niche,” she said. “I met with many groups, including Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB), and was responsible for researching their issues.” Initially, she explained issues from a detailed, scientific standpoint, but quickly learned to communicate more effectively with Washington policymakers.
After a couple of months, she was offered a job to stay and work for the majority on the Senate Agricultural Committee. Render received support for this unique opportunity from MSU, and was granted a year’s leave from her studies. “This was an amazing experience,” she said. “I was in the thick of it, even allowed on the Senate floor while they debated and passed bills.”
Before the Farm Bill was finalized, Render returned to MSU in 2012 to complete her studies. She appreciated her experience with Washington politics, city living, suits, and public transit, but her heart and future was in veterinary medicine. “Everything seemed to come full circle in 2014 when I witnessed the President sign the Farm Bill into law at my school!” That momentous year, she also received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Within weeks after graduation, Render returned to Manchester, beginning a career at The Veterinary Standard. She also reconnected with Joe Koengeter, a Central Michigan University graduate, who is now her fiancé. The Koengeter family also has deep roots in the local farming community. Joe, a mechanical engineer, works the family’s farm at Rogers Corners with his Dad Bob and Uncle Don.
Render loves the Manchester area, and being a vet in Washtenaw County and surrounding areas: “We have many established centennial farms, as well as young farmers just starting out. Being a vet is the best job in the world! It’s demanding, but I get to meet a ton of amazing people, visit a variety of farms with a variety of production goals and animal species, and help people take better care of their animals.”
“I can also be an educational resource for consumers; helping people learn more about production agriculture, food safety and wholesomeness.” Render explained her thoughtful approach to food safety and advocacy: “There is little disparity between producers and consumers; BOTH want the same thing. You couldn’t raise animals if you didn’t care for them, and consumers want to know that animals are treated responsibly. As a vet, I’m in a unique position to be an objective advocate for the animals. When required, I believe in treating animals, and I know how long those medicines will be in their bodies, to assure consumers that their food is safe and healthy.”
Render joined the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau because of her passion for advocacy. “It’s important for communities to build and share ideas,” she said. “Washtenaw County Farm Bureau is one of the most active groups I’ve been involved with! My experience has shown me the importance of advocacy at the local level where policies begin, and Farm Bureau provides a great medium for doing that.”
Render is already at work on policy and education. She was recently appointed to the Farm Bureau’s Equine Advisory Committee, and is active on their Promotion and Education Committee.
Render’s genuine passion for food safety, responsible care of animals, and policymaking will strengthen agriculture in our area. Her warm personality and advocacy skills are significant in an inter-connected world, where public trust must be earned from farm to market to table. We are fortunate that Dr. Chelsea Render and Joe Koengeter returned home to put down roots!
This is an edited version of an article that will appear in the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau’s “Roots Report” later this month.
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