Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT podcast

They say all good things must come to an end, but we disagree. We think all good things should take a brief hiatus and relaunch with version 2.0...like this podcast. Over the last three years, Carla Wardin has served as the voice of the Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT podcast - introducing us to farmers, producers and ag leaders from throughout Michigan. As Carla moves on to bigger and better things, we thank her for the incredible work she's done and we wish her well! As for us...the show must go on...sorta. We'll be back in June with a new host, new format and new name. Stay tuned...

Derek Thom is a crop and cattle farmer at D & D Thom Farms in Peck, and he’s the fifth generation in his family to be on the farm. He grows corn, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat, and hay. He also raises Holstein steers and maintains a beef cow herd. When he’s not on the farm, he likes to hunt, ride his dirt bike, snowmobile, and be outside. Listen as he talks about: * The crop he most enjoys harvesting * The new barns they’re building this year * The amazing technology of farm equipment * The changes his family farm has made over the years * His hometown of Peck Follow him at: * YOUTUBE [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNzibmZW7yJw6uBqw4sVtEg] * FACEBOOK [https://www.facebook.com/ddthomfarms]

C.J. Hunt owns Hunt’s Hillside Vineyards, LCC in Lawton, where he grows 38 acres of eight different varieties of wine grapes. He contracts his grapes to St Julian Winery in Paw Paw. He and his wife Hilary are raising three children – Payton, Sadie, and Clyde. Together they enjoy sledding, enjoying winter in a greenhouse, and going out to eat. C.J. talks about: * How wind machines work to keep off the frost * His plans for growing more grapes this year * His career path that led to being an owner * The labor problems facing his industry * How the polar vortex affected wine grapes Links to visit: facebook.com/colemanjhunt [https://www.facebook.com/colemanjhunt] facebook.com/HuntsHillsideLLC [https://www.facebook.com/HuntsHillsideLLC]

Andrew Woelmer raises corn and soybeans on his seventh-generation family farm, and he also is a financial services officer at GreenStone Farm Credit Services, the agricultural lending organization. Andrew began farming his own land when he was still in college at Ferris State University, and after graduating with an applied math major and finance minor, he got an opportunity to start at GreenStone. Five years later, he’s enjoying both roles. Listen as he talks about: * Running the combine with his nephew Orin (pictured here in tractor) * The rain and hail of tough years * How he decided on his career path * How his roles complement each other * What he likes to do when he’s not farming FACEBOOK PAGE [https://www.facebook.com/andrew.woelmer]

Allan Robinette is part of Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, an agri-tourism destination in Grand Rapids. They also offer you-pick of a variety of fruits, a corn maze, a bakery, and many family activities. Allan credits his grandparents Jim and Bethel Robinette with making the transition to a retail business model. When Allan isn’t pruning, talking with visitors, or doing one of the million other details it takes to run a business, he enjoys cycling and watching movies. Listen as Allan talks about: * The best apples to grow and eat * Pest control with pheromones * How a company designs and forms a corn maze * How to prune trees to get the best growth * How one expansion led to another for farm visitors Tag in social media: WEBSITE [https://robinettes.com/] FACEBOOK PAGE [https://www.facebook.com/Allan.LaLongueCarabine]