In front of about 1,200 attendees of the Great Lakes Crop Summit Feb. 1, three Michigan growers joined an elite group known as Master Farmers.

Tom Braid of Durand, Ed Cagney of Scotts and Bob Ohse of Custer were named 2018 Michigan Master Farmers. Click on their names to see the videos.

Videos were developed to help tell their stories by Nicole Heslip and Shannon Yokley of Brownfield Ag News.

The award, presented by Michigan Farmer magazine, recognizes outstanding farm management, innovation, conservation and leadership. Honorees demonstrate how to farm more effectively, efficiently, environmentally and economically.

The award is named the same year that it’s given because it acknowledges a lifetime of achievement and not a single year.

All were nominated by peers and were chosen by a committee of agriculture industry leaders.

Master Farmers receive a plaque from Michigan Farmer magazine and a Carhartt jacket, donated by Carhartt. They also receive a $1,000 check, made possible by sponsors Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Greenstone Farm Credit Services and Wilbur-Ellis.

Sponsoring the venue and the summit were the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and the Michigan Wheat Program.