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Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies

Traverse City, wineries host standout membership captains

County Farm Bureau membership captains met a host of criteria throughout the 2023-24 recruitment year to qualify for a recent celebratory visit to Traverse City and nearby wineries.
Date Posted: February 12, 2025

Just shy of 30 Farm Bureau members recently trekked to Traverse City to celebrate — and share — their successes in membership recruitment. 

Altogether 14 county Farm Bureau membership captains and their guests enjoyed the time to network, share ideas and bask in the warm midwinter glow of a successful 2023-2024 membership campaign:

  • Allegan County Farm Bureau — Klint and Ashley Blaauw
  • Berrien — Kari and Aaron Molter
  • Copper Country — Susan Mattila and Jeff Palik
  • Emmet — Ben and Lucille Blaho
  • Gratiot — Arthur and Courtney McClintic
  • Ingham — Julia Chamberlain and Lori Schrauben
  • Isabella — Cathy McCune and Connie Moeggenborg
  • Monroe — Ron and Mindy Stadler
  • Oakland — Delaney Pantalone and Pierce Hamburg
  • Presque Isle — Christian and Jessica Tollini
  • Shiawassee — Kaddi Gewirtz and Andrew Malcomson
  • St. Joseph — Emily Swift and Michael Malmborg
  • Washtenaw — Kimberly and Kirk Rose
  • Wexford — Jill and Bill Benson

County Farm Bureau membership captains met a host of criteria throughout the recruitment year to qualify for the trip.

On Friday evening, the group enjoyed a reception and dinner while sharing their successful membership ideas from the previous year. 

After a morning on their own enjoying downtown Traverse City, the group boarded buses to tour four wineries and cideries up near Suttons Bay: Two K Farms, Mawby Vineyards & Winery, Suttons Bay Ciders and Shady Lane Cellars.

The visitors sampled products, visited with owners and staff to learn more about the operations and — true to form — signed up a few new Farm Bureau members!

The group then met with new Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross and his wife Kelsey at a Traverse City restaurant for dinner to wrap up the weekend before heading home Sunday.


MFB Membership Development Manager Laura Lunceford is a member of the Shiawassee County Farm Bureau.

Laura Lunceford headshot

Laura Lunceford 

Manager, Membership Development
517-679-5442 lluncef@michfb.com

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