Doug and Kathy Brooks at United Producers Inc. in Manchester. Along with his duties at Manchester, which includes overseeing the sheep barn and weekly auctions; Doug is a branch manager and manages “Lamb Pools” throughout Michigan and other mid-west states.  (United Producers Inc. is the largest livestock marketing cooperative in the United States, handling approximately 3 million head of livestock annually. They operate approximately 40 weekly auction facilities and collection points in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania. UPI also coordinates farm-to-farm and farm-to-packer movements of livestock.) Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Mason Horning of Horning Farms is seen here caring for his FFA Broiler Contest chickens. He checked on them twice a day to make sure they had enough food and water, monitored the temperature of their house, and weighed them weekly. Mason raised these broilers not only for financial benefit, but also for the knowledge gained about raising chickens that he can use in the future. Mason’s successful project earned him 7th place in the state contest. Photos and write up courtesy of Washtenaw Farm Bureau.

Katelyn Horning of Horning Farms is one of the Washtenaw County Dairy judging/quiz bowl coaches. She also designed this year’s “Proud to Farm in Washtenaw County” t-shirts and placemats. Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Chad Fusilier is seen here working in the greenhouse at MSU where he’s pursuing a degree in Agribusiness management and horticulture. He’s also active with the MSU Collegiate Farm Bureau and was among its volunteers assisting today with Michigan Farm Bureau’s Ag Day at the Capitol. When he’s not studying, he’s busy working; preparing to open Fusilier Farms — Chelsea for a third season. Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Before most of us were awake this morning, lights were on in barns across the county; farmers were busy milking cows and caring for animals. Natalie Horning is a junior at MSU majoring in Agriculture, food and natural resources education. In these photos she is volunteering at an “I milked a cow” booth for MSU Dairy Club. Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

In late December,  Dr. Chelsea Render was at the Wacker farm with Jacy, Cody and their mom Lauren Wacker to do ultrasounds on all their ewes. The ultrasound can show if the ewe is pregnant, and gives some idea about the health and gestation stage of the unborn lambs. Chasing ewes and isolating them for the exam took muscle, speed and extra hands! Thanks to the barn helpers Josh Sannes, Natalie Johnson, and Brandon Puckett. The group (minus Cody) posed for a “thumbs up” photo: All the ewes were pregnant and healthy! UPDATE: Jacy’s flock had 27 lambs. Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Jacy Wacker taking notes as Dr. Render was examines the sheep. The small Wacker farm has about 46 sheep, 3 steers, 4 heifers, and 2 cows. Jacy will likely have 3 pair of market sheep, some breeding stock and a couple of steers going to fair. She is graduating from Manchester High School and plans to attend MSU in the fall to study fishery and wildlife and hopes to eventually work for the DNR. She loves her sheep, though, and says she’ll continue raising them. Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Meet Grant and Lisa (Scramlin) Reiff and Garrison – their adorable almost one-year-old future-famer/quarterback or ??!! So what do you get when you mix an Indiana farm boy “Boilermaker” and a Michigan farm girl “Spartan” (besides a disappointing March Madness for both)? A dynamic duo who wears many hats. Lisa has an Ag Communication degree from MSU. In addition to being a busy mom, she’s the Executive Director of Michigan Association of Fairs-Exhibitions which gives her the opportunity to be an advocate for keeping agriculture the centerpiece of community fairs. Grant has an Ag Economics degree from Purdue and is currently District Manager for Dairyland Seed, covering 7 counties in Michigan and 3 in Ohio. He’s a county Farm Bureau board member and is active on the Young Farm committee. He was a finalist in the 2015 Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Program Discussion Meet. He also has a career as a singer/songwriter. Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Katlin Blaine of Manchester. This photo was taken in the Greenhouse at MSU. where Katlin studies Agronomy/Crop & Soil Sciences. She is a member of the MSU Collegiate Farm Bureau and is also active in the county Farm Bureau Young Farmer events and activities. She recently attended the Michigan Farm Bureau Growing Together Conference in Kalamazoo. Photo and write up courtesy of the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Washtenaw County Farm Bureau Young Farmer chair, Travis Fusilier. In this photo he’s seeding peppers in his family’s greenhouse at Fusilier Family Farms. Travis has an Agribusiness degree from MSU. Photo and write up courtesy of the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.

Mike and Therese Bossory and their children Megan and Nathan have owned Alber Orchard & Cider Mill in Manchester since 1999. The Bossorys are the first owners outside the Alber family since the farm was purchased by John Alber in 1881. The orchard grows both traditional and heirloom apples which are carefully selected and blended to provide a delicious apple cider pressed with the modernized, original 1890 equipment. They feature many heirloom varieties of apples — allowing you to enjoy the very special tastes and textures of native fruits that are no longer available in grocery stores. Alber’s is a farm and a destination for picnics, weddings, educational tours and family fun. Photo and write up courtesy of Washtenaw County Farm Bureau.