Recognizing his involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau, Michigan’s 2021 Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award winner Loren King also got national recognition by taking home second place at the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in Atlanta.

During his presentation to a panel of judges, King spoke about advocating on behalf of farm policies, looking toward technology that will be prevalent in the next five years, and why it’s important for youth to learn about technology and ideas before they start on the farm full time.

King has a deeply rooted passion for storytelling, which he puts to use as a social media strategist in East Lansing, where he works across Michigan agriculture to tell farmers’ stories. His home farm is in St. Joseph County, where King’s family raises corn and soybeans near Burr Oak.

As the state winner, King received a three-month lease of a Michigan CAT skid steer; a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate; up to $1,000 of business/estate consultation from Clark Hill; and an all-expense paid trip to the AFBF annual meeting to compete in the national competition, sponsored by the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.

Brady Revels of Nebraska won the Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Governor makes appointments to the Michigan Craft Beverage Council

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.

H. Richard Anderson of Thompsonville is a partner and co-founder of Iron Fish Distillery. He holds a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Michigan State University and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. Anderson is reappointed to represent small distillers for a term expiring Sept. 30, 2024.

Michael Beck of St. Johns is the president of Uncle John's Cider Mill. He holds a bachelor’s degree in facilities management from Ferris State University. Beck is reappointed to represent winemakers that primarily manufacture cider for a term expiring Sept. 30, 2024.

Sean Black of Grand Rapids is the director of merchandising for alcohol for Meijer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in integrated supply management from Western Michigan University. Black is appointed to represent retail food establishments that hold a specifically designated merchant license and sell Michigan wines or beer for a term expiring Sept. 30, 2022. He succeeds Erin Walton who has resigned.

Jessica Youngblood of Ray is the owner and vineyard manager for Youngblood Vineyard. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Walla Walla University. Youngblood is appointed to represent winemakers for a term expiring Sept. 30, 2024. She succeeds Brian Lesperance, whose term expired Sept. 30, 2021.

View information about the council members at michigancraftbeverage.com.

Apply now for Specialty Crop Block Grant

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program awards funds to projects to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Grant proposals must be emailed to MDARD at [email protected] by 3 p.m. Feb. 24.

The grants have a maximum award of $100,000 for research proposals and $125,000 for marketing, training and education proposals designed to enhance the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as "fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).”

For program information, application form and submission criteria, visit michigan.gov/mdardgrants, and at the bottom of the page click, on the Specialty Crop Block tab.

Hi Pro Equipment sales team earns award  

Hi Pro Equipment, based in Kalamazoo, Mich., has been awarded the 2021 Merwin Award, given to honor an Eriez manufacturers’ representative firm for outstanding contributions to the advancement of the ideals and mission of Eriez. Hi Pro was recognized for superior sales performance, providing customers with high-quality service and support, and striving to conduct affairs in an efficient, capable and friendly manner. 

Hi Pro has represented Eriez for 21 years and is now a three-time recipient of the Merwin Award, with previous wins in 2012 and 2017.   

The Hi Pro team includes Russ Campbell, Randy Klinger and Justin Story. To commemorate this accomplishment, Hi Pro will receive a framed Merwin Award, and the company’s name will be inscribed on the Merwin Award plaque, which is on permanent display at Eriez headquarters. 

GreenStone offers expanded program to assist young farmers

Young, beginning and small farmers will now have even more opportunities under an expanded Greenstone Farm Credit Services Program: CultivateGrowth. It is designed to support the diversity of modern agriculture through tailored financial and educational support initiatives.

GreenStone has already been working with young, beginning and small farmers for more than 100 years, and the new program services will benefit even more agricultural individuals for the future.

CultivateGrowth launches a brand-new loan program, CultivateGrowth Emerging Loan, which has simpler, more relaxed standards, providing a financing option to some customers who may not have previously been able to qualify for a loan at any financial institution. Coupled with the new loan program remains the financing options young, beginning and small farmers have been benefiting from for decades.

As agriculture is a rapidly changing, diversifying industry, GreenStone has prioritized its support by providing customers with learning opportunities. Those members in the Emerging Loan program can also earn a reduced interest rate after completing a slate of educational activities, such as financial training, educational conferences, tax and accounting services, mentorship programs, and more.

To help provide producers with many of the educational opportunities and support necessary for success, GreenStone is also once again committing up to $40,000 annually to young, beginning and small farmers through CultivateGrowth grants. Grants are available for the reimbursement of many of the activities and resources that will help them learn and grow their business.