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MIFFS Welcomes New Council Members for 2009

March 16, 2009 - EAST LANSING, MICH – Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) is honored to welcome its 2009 Council: Joe Colyn, Sarah Crane, Keith Creagh, Joanetta Greer-O’Bryant, Lucy Hartlove, Tom Kalchik, Doug Kirkpatrick, Lori Phalen, Kate Redman, Ron Steiner and Nic Welty.

Agriculture in Michigan is seeing some changing times, with the growing demand for local food and more small farmers emerging from the pack all the time. With the troubles in the auto business, agriculture is well on its way to becoming Michigan’s number one industry, contributing more than $70 billion to our state’s economy in 2008.

The MIFFS Council, over the years, has grown and evolved with the times to work with Michigan farmers. With members from across the state, bringing talents and experiences that ranges from small farmers to entrepreneurs to conservationists to lawyers, this year’s council exemplifies MIFFS vision to be a recognized leader and resource to establish and develop more sustainable food and farming for Michigan, nurturing successful partnerships that result in healthy people and communities. Each and every member has an expressed passion for increasing local food consumption, improving agricultural stewardship and sustainability and making sure that family farmers succeed.

This year, MIFFS would especially like to thank Howard Straub, Jr., of St. Johns, for his seven years of service, five of those as Council President, who is stepping down from his Council position. He is proud, though, to continue his contributions to MIFFS as a member, donor and Ag Stewardship Committee member, for which MIFFS is extremely thankful.

“Howard’s passion, knowledge and leadership have helped MIFFS to survive and thrive through difficult times and transitions,” said Elaine Brown, MIFFS Executive Director. “We will always be grateful for that and for everything he’s given MIFFS over the years.”

Howard and his wife, Mary Jo, run a grass-based dairy in St. Johns called Triple H Farms. They gave a presentation on their operation Tuesday night after the MIFFS Annual Meeting about how this sustainable approach is better not just for the environment but for their overall bottom line.

Read the Council Member Bios...

Howard and Mary Jo Straub's PowerPoint Presentation on Triple H Farms...

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Founded in 1998, MIFFS is a statewide membership organization (501c3) whose purpose is to promote diverse efforts that foster and sustain food and farming systems that improve economic, ecological and social well-being.  MIFFS has been effective at establishing successful partnerships among producers, markets and institutions that have created more profitable, environmentally friendly food systems in Michigan.    

The organization’s vision is based on the premise that agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship and profitability reinforce each other for the benefit of Michigan’s rural and urban communities.  To learn more, please visit www.miffs.org or call (517) 432-0712.