Local residents awarded at County Farm Bureau annual meeting
We try to keep our County Farm Bureau awards a surprise for the recipients. This was certainly the case on Monday evening, September 18, when president Travis Fusilier had the honor of presenting his parents, Mike and Kathy Fusilier, with the 2023 award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture during the County Farm Bureau annual meeting held at the Alber Orchard and Cider Mill.
submitted by Kathleen Siler, Washtenaw County Farm Bureau
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau held their annual meeting on the evening of Monday, September 18, at the Alber Orchard and Cider Mill in Freedom Township. Awards were issued and multiple recipients were Manchester-area residents!
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau president Travis Fusilier had the honor of presenting his parents, Mike and Kathy Fusilier, with the 2023 award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture. This award recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to our local agriculture.
Kathy has been a Farm Bureau member for 34 years. During that time, she has been involved in multiple ways in service to agriculture. She’s been a delegate representing District 3 at the MFB annual meeting for more than 20 years. Additionally, she’s attended the Lansing Legislative Seminar several times and participated in the District 3 Policy Development Issue Surfacing meetings where ideas are shared about what needs to be addressed in potential policy changes. She served as WCFB Board President for three years, dedicating her time and knowledge to promoting and progressing agriculture in our community.
Mike has served on various boards in Washtenaw County. Among them are the Federal Reserve Agriculture Advisory Committee and the Manchester Township Planning Commission, where he served three years each as the chairman, vice chairman, and secretary. He also serves on the Manchester Township Board of Trustees. As we all know, Mike has been a Michigan Farm Bureau board member representing District 3 for nearly 30 years. Additionally, he currently sits on the Executive Committee for the MFB board. His long-standing time on that board is a testament to his passion and dedication to agriculture for not just our community, but the entire state of Michigan.
Mike and Kathy own and operate Fusilier Family Farms, a pillar destination in our community and our county. Growing bedded plants, 30 different vegetable crops, corn, and soybeans, and offering U-pick pumpkins and strawberries, their operation is one of the most diverse greenhouse operations our area has to offer.
Valisa Bristle was the recipient of the Outstanding Ag Youth Educator of the Year Award.
Valisa has dedicated much of her life to the service of educating our young people about agriculture. She is serving as the Leader of Townline Workers 4-H club. She has grown her club and added more livestock and dairy in recent years. She is also the secretary of the 4-H Livestock and Dairy Committee and has gotten many of her club members involved in the Jr. Livestock Association and in the 4-H dairy programs like quiz bowl, judging, and dairy days. Valisa has also been on the Project Rural Education Days planning committee and a Project RED volunteer for a number of years. Additionally, Valisa has made the ag display at the Chelsea Library the past couple of years and helped promote ag through her involvement in Project RED and the Treat of Ag event.
Valisa also uses the Michigan Farm Bureau FARM crates in her classroom. These crates are ag-themed starter kits to help teachers create lesson plans involving agriculture. They have a direct impact on bringing agriculture to the classroom.
The Volunteer of the Year award is given to a Washtenaw County Farm Bureau volunteer who has gone above and beyond throughout the past year. The recipient has exhibited a commitment to a specific program or event in their local community and are instrumental to the success of that event or program.
This year, Stacey Neigebauer was awarded Volunteer of the Year.
Stacey stepped up and has done a number of great things this year, dedicating her time and effort to helping out. She helped our county Promotion & Education chair create a handbook outlining tips and tricks for new committee members to get involved. Stacey created stationary displays with awesome ag facts used in fair booths. Additionally, Stacey glued 200 frames for Treat of Ag displays last fall and was also on the Project Rural Education Days and Rural Safety Day Planning committees. She also volunteered at both events. When the FARM Science lab was hosted by Riverside School, Stacey participated as a volunteer to help out the kids, and she delivered the books that our Promotion & Education Committee ordered as follow-up to those lessons.
Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization. Each one of the events that are put on in our county are created, implemented, and executed by countless volunteers. They are the backbone of our community, and they don’t get as much recognition as they deserve.
Huge congratulations and gratitude to Mike and Kathy Fusilier, Valisa Bristle, and Stacey Neigebauer for all you do!
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau president Travis Fusilier presenting Valisa Bristle with the 2023 Outstanding Ag Youth Educator of the Year Award.
Stacey Neigebauer receiving the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award from Travis Fusilier.
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