Donald Coe was appointed to the Commission in February 2006 by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

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, 2009

Velmar Green, Elsie, Michigan

Velmar Green was appointed to the commission on July 20, 2009, by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Mr. Green is the President of Green Meadow Farms, Inc., a family farm near Elsie.  Green is also Treasurer of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, which is a farmer cooperative with over 2,000 dairy farm members in Michigan.  Green Meadow Farms is known world wide for it's breeding of Holstein dairy cattle.  The farm was one of the first to be environmentally verified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture under the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program.  Green Meadow has recently constructed an anaerobic digester to generate electricity.  The farm is also the home of Michigan State University Training Center for Dairy Professionals.  To learn more go to greenmeadowfarms.com.

Green and his wife Margaret have a son Craig and a daughter Margery who both are active in the farming operation.  His term expires December 31, 2012.

Todd J. Regis, Jackson, Michigan

Todd J. Regis was appointed to the Commission on April 12, 2007, by Governor Jennifer Granholm. Todd graduated from Western Michigan University (WMU) with a bachelors of business administration with degree in Marketing and General Business. Born and raised in Hickory Corners in rural Barry County, he has some past farming experience. Regis is the Director of Organizing and Vice President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951, one of the largest retail, meatpacking, and food processing labor union locals in the nation. He has extensive knowledge of Food Safety and distribution through the various segments of his work. Prior to UFCW 951, he worked for Meijer, Inc. He also serves on the Michigan Food Policy Council, the UFCW Local 951 Foundation, is the organizing chair for Change to Win - Michigan, and has previously served on the board of directors of WMU Alumni Association, Michigan UFCW Health & Welfare Fund, Chelsea Area United Way, the Michigan State AFL CIO, and the Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation.

Regis has two daughters. His term expires December 31, 2010.

For more information about the Commission of Agriculture:

517-335-3402
mda-ag-commission@michigan.gov