November 08, 2011
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today appointed one member to the Michigan Bean Commission and nine members to the newly-created Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee, approved by a referenda vote of the state's wheat producers this summer.
"I am pleased to appoint these individuals to grow and promote the agriculture industry in our state," Snyder said.
Michigan Bean Commission
The nine-member commission oversees research and promotes the bean industry in Michigan.
John Krick, of Frankenmuth, is vice president and secretary of John Schluckebier Farms in Frankenmuth, which consists of 13,000 acres of sugar beets, wheat, corn, dry beans and soybeans. He will represent District 8 growers and replaces Michael Sahr.
Krick will serve a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2014. The appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2012, and is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee
The nine-member committee oversees the wheat marketing program and consists of wheat farmers from across Michigan.
One-year terms
William Hunt, of Davison, is the president of Hunt Farms Inc., which consists of 11,700 acres: 1,000 wheat, 5,200 corn and 5,500 soybeans. The farm operations employ 17 full-time and three seasonal workers. He currently serves on the Richfield Township Planning Commission and on the board of Southern Thumb Co-Op. Hunt will represent District 4 growers and serve a one-year term expiring May 31, 2012.
Dean Kantola, of Ravenna, is owner of Kantola Farms, which consists of approximately 700 acres: 260 soybeans, 100 wheat and 275 corn. He previously served as an alternate on the temporary wheat producer committee that looked at establishing a marketing program. Kantola will represent District 1 growers and serve a one-year term expiring May 31, 2012.
Art Loeffler, of Frankenmuth, is president of Star of the West Milling Co. He previously served as an internal auditor for Kraft Foods, worked for Yeo & Yeo CPAs and as a controller of Star of the Milling Co. Loeffler served as a member of the temporary wheat program drafting committee. He earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. Loeffler will represent District 9 growers and serve a one-year term expiring May 31, 2012.
Two-year terms
Gerald Heck, of Monroe, is the owner of Heck Farms, LLC, which consists of more than 800 acres: 300 corn, 400 soybeans and 100 wheat. He received the 2010 Ecology Leadership Award from the Monroe County Farm Bureau and the 2010 Conservation Farm of the Year from the Monroe Soil and Water District. Heck earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from Michigan State University. He will represent District 3 growers and serve a two-year term expiring May 31, 2013.
Chris Schmidt, of Auburn, is the owner and fourth generation farmer of Schmidt Farms of Auburn, which consists of more than 600 acres: 160 wheat, 210 soybeans, 160 corn and 90 oats. He previously served on the temporary wheat producer committee that looked at establishing a marketing program. Schmidt earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University. He will represent District 8 growers and serve a two-year term expiring May 31, 2013.
Frank Vyskocil, of New Lothrop, is the owner-operator and third generation farmer of Shiawassee Valley Farms, which consists of 2,470 acres: 850 wheat, 750 corn and 870 soybeans. He will represent District 6 growers and serve a two-year term expiring May 31, 2013.
Three-year terms
Scott Heussner, of Marlette, is the owner of Heussner Farms, consisting of over 1,300 acres: 550 corn, 550 soy, 150 wheat and 125 navy/black beans. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Michigan State University. Heussner will represent District 5 growers and serve a three-year term expiring May 31, 2014.
David Milligan of Cass County, is the proprietor of Milligan Farms, LLC, which consists of 4,100 acres: 1,050 wheat, 850 corn, 1,150 soybeans and 1,050 dry beans. He previously served on the temporary wheat producer committee that looked at establishing a marketing program. Milligan will represent District 7 growers and serve a three-year term expiring May 31, 2014.
Carl Sparks, of Cassopolis, is the manager of Sparks Cedarlee Farm LLC, which consists of 1,570 acres: 450 corn, 350 soybeans, 80 hay, 75 wheat, and 300 pasture. He is the chairman of the Cass County Farm Bureau County Issues Committee. Sparks earned a bachelor's degree in crops and soil science from Michigan State University. He will represent District 2 growers and serve a three-year term expiring May 31, 2014.
Appointees are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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