News

2017 Michigan Master Farmers recognized

Three farmers have been recognized as 2017 Michigan Master Farmers for a lifetime of achievement at the Great Lakes Crop Summit.

Tim Brodbeck of Lake Odessa farms 3,200 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat with his wife Tammy and son Owen and they tap about 1,000 maple trees. Brodbeck tells Brownfield one of his proudest moments in his farming career was helping to bring an ethanol plant to mid-Michigan.  “The plant didn’t come exactly like we thought it would but we got the plant here and I think about how much value it’s brought to our community, how it’s increased the tax based, how it’s brought jobs, it’s been a godsend to our area .”

Ken and Ida Wadsworth of Sandusky have grown their farm to more than 5,000 acres rotating corn, dry beans and sugar beets. Ken says in their lifetime they’ve raised six good farmers which Ida attributes to working together as a team.  “We always discussed things, talked about things, whatever you did, you did it right.”

Dave Williams of Elise farms more than 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat on the same land that was settled by his family more than 150 years ago. Williams tells Brownfield no-till has been one of the best management practices he’s implemented.  “It uses less resources, it’s more sustainable and I just think it’s a good practice for conservation and for our farming operation.”

The Master Farmer awards are sponsored by Brownfield Ag News, the Michigan Farmer Magazine, Michigan Agricultural Commodities, GreenStone Farm Credit Services and Mosaic.