The MIFMA Board of Directors consists of eleven members. Seven positions are held by farmers market representatives, one from each of the seven MIFMA regions. Four of the positions are held by Michigan farmers that sell their own products at farmers markets.

Regional Representatives:

Thomas Tikkanen, Region 1 Representative since 2011

Main Street Calumet – Farmers & Artisans Market

Jen Welty, Region 2 Representative since 2009
Leelanau Area Farmers Markets

Jen is both an agricultural producer and an avid baker. She owns and operates a small farm and bakery which sells at various farmers markets. These roles have given Jen a perspective which she believes can help strengthen MIFMA. As an artisan baker/chef, Jen brings a desire to grow the rich culinary traditions using the bounty that our farmers and farmers markets provide. Jen also has a passion for preserving farmland, enhancing community togetherness, and sharing in great slow food which can readily be achieved through the preservation of existing farmers markets and the creation of new ones.

Stephanie Wentworth, Region 3 Representative since 2011
Northeast Regional Farm Market

Stephanie has over twelve years’ experience with the Northeast Michigan Regional Farm Market (NMRFM).

Scott Harvey, Region 4 Representative since 2010
Plainfield Township Farmers Market

Scott has been the Plainfield Charter Township Clerk since 2008 and has also been in charge of the Plainfield Farmers Market since that time. He likes the idea of having a place for farmers to sell locally-grown products and for citizens could purchase produce that they know came from local growers. He brings to the Board knowledge of governance structure and enthusiasm for local food.

Julie Darnton, Region 5 Representative since 2011
Downtown Saginaw Farmers Market

Julie is passionate about the potential for farmers’ markets to be a critical link in our local food systems.  Not only will farmers’ market customers be able to access fresh food but our local farmers and producers can bring products directly to customers and build relationships around those products.  Julie also sees the potential for farmers markets to be an incubator for entrepreneurship, a site for education and community celebration, and a true destination for people living in and visiting our communities. Through her work with Michigan State University Extension, Julie has had the opportunity to work on all sides of the market table – as an organizer of a market, a vendor, and as a customer.  She has had experience on the financial aspects of farmers’ markets having served as the Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market treasurer for two years and as the food assistance bookkeeper for two years. Julie has a connection to MSU’s new Center for Regional Food Systems as well as the opportunity to collaborate with staff from around the state through MSUE.

Donna McClurkan, Region 6 Representative since 2010
Texas Township Farmers Market

Donna is passionate about food! In addition to her position with MIFMA, she serves on the Board of the Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, a county-wide network of 27 food pantries. Donna has managed the Texas Township Farmers Market in SW Michigan since it was formed in 2009. She’s a farmer-in-training and volunteers on area farms with her teenage daughter.

Randall Fogelman, Region 7 Representative since 2010
Eastern Market

Randall joined the MIFMA board in March of 2011.  He was asked to fill a seat that had been recently vacated and quickly jumped at the chance. Randall brings, first, a love for Markets.  Markets are more than just a location to purchase fresh goods, but are unique places where people from all walks of life come together to share and celebrate our differences.  To that, he adds an understanding of what makes markets work, an expertise in logistics and 15 years of professional non-profit experience.

 

Farmer Members:

Dan Keane, Board Member since 2007
Keane’s Wee Bee Farm, Hemlock

Dan Keane worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture, is a past officer of PRIDE in Saginaw, past president of Trout Unlimited (Saginaw Chapter), vice chair of the Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market, and board member of the Hemlock Farmers Market. Dan has been significantly involved in the Saginaw Area Farmers’ Market, local food activities, and more recently the Hemlock Farmers’ Market, where he is the local beekeeper. Dan has been involved with MIFMA since before its inception. To Dan, MIFMA is a vital step in helping our state’s farmers market Industry grow stronger, develop professional members and expand on the great agricultural diversity here in Michigan.

Frank Blissett, Board member since 2009
Bliss Hill Farm

Frank has been a vendor at the Sault Ste. Marie farmers market for many years, upgrading from a hobby garden to a market garden. He was a charter member of MIFMA, views his role as a Board members as an opportunity to help create a strong network of farmers markets and local agriculture. Frank believes that there are tremendous values in such a network from a vibrant economy to a healthy environment and compassionate communities.

Sue Spangulo, Board member since 2011
Green Bush Farms

She has been involved with many aspects of the food industry and agriculture my whole life. Most recently she has participated in the “Michigan Good Food Charter” and was one of the founding members of the “Michigan Cheese Makers Co-op”. She has participated in the “Food Processors Summit” and the” Michigan Festivals and Events Assoc.” conferences. She has also attended the “Value Added Agriculture and Agritourism” meetings. She has a desire to cultivate a safe, accessible, and sustainable food system is encouraged by all the wonderful people she has met and worked with the last several years.  She has always believed in TEAM work and believe we can achieve a thriving economy working together to ensure all communities benefit from the power of healthy living including a strong food system.

Christine Miller, Board member since 2011
Spartan County Meats

Christine has been the Market Manager for the Meridian Twp. Farmers Market for four seasons and the Williamston Farmers Market Manager for three seasons.  She also has been a vendor at seven different markets in the mid-Michigan area.  Christine participated in the Great Lakes Expo, Market Manager Boot Camp, and completed the Certified Market Manager training this past spring of 2011.  She has her bachelors from MSU in Animal Science/Food Processing and a teaching certificate from SVSU in Elementary Education.  Her family also has a farm, Spartan Country Meats, in Webberville, Michigan.  They raise all natural poultry and have a licensed processing facility so they can sell our poultry at farmers markets, retail establishments and restaurants.

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