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Members & Information About the Michigan Commission of Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentThe Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development has the responsibility to recommend, and in some cases determine, policy on food, agricultural, and rural development issues. The Commission is a bipartisan body of five citizens appointed by the Governor.The role of the Commission is to:
State law dictates that no more than three Commission members may be from the same political party. The Commission meets once a month and meetings are open to the public. Citizens and organizations wishing to observe or discuss matters under the Commission's jurisdiction are encouraged to attend. Contact Information:
Chair, Bob Kennedy, St. Charles, Michigan Bob Kennedy was appointed to the commission on January 11, 2011, by Governor Rick Snyder and became chair on January 16, 2013.
Diane Hanson was appointed to the commission on January 11, 2011, by Governor Rick Snyder and became vice chair on January 16, 2013. She is active in local, state, and national agricultural groups. She was appointed to the U.S. Potato Board in 2010, serves on the FSA committee and the Hiawathaland Farm Bureau as a director and past president, is a member of the Upper Peninsula Potato Growers, the Michigan Potato Industry, and the Potato Growers of Michigan. She coordinates the setup of commodities, farm history and present day farming practices at the Miracle of Life display, which runs during the Upper Peninsula State Fair. She also organizes a farm tour for local, state, and federally elected officials to help educate them on farming in the UP. She resides in Cornell, Michigan, with her husband Dennis, they have 6 children and 13 grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, along with taking care of her grandchildren, helping others, and appreciating the good life that she has. Her term term expires December 31, 2014. Contact Information:
Trever Meachum was appointed to the commission on January 9, 2012, by Governor Rick Snyder and became secretary on January 16, 2013. Meachum is the production manager for High Acres Fruit Farm, a 3000 acre fruit, vegetable and cash crop farm in Van Buren County. He farms with his parents and two brothers. He also serves as the secretary of the Hartford Township Planning Commission. He is chairman of the Michigan Apple Research Committee and finance chair of the International Fruit Tree Association. He is a member of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Association (MACMA Apple Committee. He resides in Hartford, Michigan with wife Jennifer and twins Glenn and Charlotte. Contact Information:
Mr. Coe graduated from Cornell University and has extensive experience in international trade issues for wines and spirits. He is active in local economic development boards and industry and agricultural groups. He is the managing partner of Black Star Farms, an agricultural destination that includes a winery, distillery, bed and breakfast, creamery (Leelanau Cheese Company), orchards and vineyards, and horse stables. Black Star Farms is the 100th certified Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) farm in Michigan and has won numerous awards and recognition for their products. He resides in Traverse City, Michigan with his wife Marylou. His term expires December 31, 2013 Contact information: Member, Fred Walcott, Allendale, Michigan
A lifelong farmer, Walcott works for Valley View Pork LLC. The 4,000-acre family farm produces hogs, corn, wheat and soybeans, and houses a weather station which monitors crop conditions. Walcott will serve a four-year term that expires Dec. 31, 2016 His term expires December 31, 2016
For more information about the Commission of Agriculture & Rural Development: 517-335-3402 |
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Vice Chair, Diane Hanson, Cornell, Michigan
Secretary, Trever Meachum, Hartford, Michigan
Member, Donald Coe, Traverse City, Michigan 
Fred Walcott was appointed to the Commission on January 5, 2013 by Governor Rick Snyder. (
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