Farm Bureau members join beef, farm produce insurance boards

Six county Farm Bureau members are among Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent appointments to the Farm Produce Insurance Authority and the Michigan Beef Industry Commission. 

“These groups serve an important role in helping to improve the economic position and competitiveness of these commodity sectors through promotional programs, research initiatives, marketing opportunities and more,” said Theresa Sisung, MFB industry relations specialist. “It’s great to see so many county Farm Bureau members in these influential roles.”

The appointees are subject to Senate approval and will serve term through 2025.

Farm Produce Insurance Authority 

• Tuscola County Farm Bureau member Steve Ewald, of Unionville, is the president for Ewald Farms Inc. He serves as chair of the Organic Farmers of Michigan LLC and as vice chair of the Michigan Bean Commission. Ewald is reappointed to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing dry bean producers.
• Huron County Farm Bureau member Jason Haag, of Unionville, is the owner and farm manager for Haag Farms and an agronomy consultant for Digital Agronomics LLC. Haag is reappointed to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing the interests of soybean producers.
• Huron County Farm Bureau member Rita Herford, of Pigeon, is the owner and operator of Gentner Bischer Farms LLC. Herford serves as the county Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education chair and is a member of the MFB Feed Grains, Oilseed and Wheat Advisory Committee. She is reappointed to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization representing general farm interests.
• Hillsdale County Farm Bureau member Mark Kies, of Allen, is a co-owner of Kies Farm LLC. Kies is reappointed to represent the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing the interest of corn producers.
• Nichole Wilcox, of Portland, is the vice president of agribusiness lending for GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Wilcox is reappointed to represent the largest Michigan organization representing the interests of agricultural lenders.
• James Howe, of Frankenmuth, is the CEO of Star of the West Milling Company. Howe is reappointed to represent the largest Michigan organization representing interests of licensees as a nonvoting member.

Michigan Beef Industry Commission

• Washtenaw County Farm Bureau member Matthew Noggle, of Manchester, is the manager at Noggle Farms LLC and assistant vice president for Chelsea State Bank. Noggle is appointed to represent members engaged in the feeding of cattle for beef production. He succeeds Jackson County Farm Bureau member Jill Sears.
• Clare County Farm Bureau member Travis Schunk, of Clare, is a cattle buyer for JBS Beef Plant. Schunk is reappointed to represent a member who is an executive of a meat packing company which purchases cattle and processes beef.
• David Neitzel, of Kentwood, is the director of business development for Certified Angus Beef LLC. Neitzel is reappointed to represent a member engaged in the retail sales of beef.