Area ag producers, industry specialists and several friends of agriculture gathered Thursday, March 19 for the annual Oceana County Agriculture & Natural Resources Banquet at the West Michigan Research Station in Hart.
Prior to the dinner, MSU Extension District 5 Director and Master of Ceremonies James Kelly introduced various industry partners who presented their annual reports to the group.
Oceana Conservation District (OCD) Executive Director Laura Ackerman reviewed the district’s conservation priorities for years 2022 through 2027, highlighting their activities in 2025 to enhance the county’s water quality, manage invasive species, protect/improve wildlife habitat, improve forest health/management and protect greenspace/farmland.
Mary Sheppard of the Oceana County Farm Bureau highlighted their activities over the past year, announced winners of this February’s annual ice fishing contest and stated that this fall they plan to hold a “Venison Drive” to help fill people’s freezers with some of Oceana’s plentiful deer supply.
West Michigan Research Station Manager Justin Adams shared about the number of grower education programs the research center has hosted over the past year and invited everyone back for the asparagus farm tours held during the National Asparagus Festival or to stop in and sample some of the many new fruit varieties they are working with.
Following a hearty meal catered by Dave’s Country Kitchen, District Conservationist Heather Varboncoeur presented this year’s Conservationist of the Year award to Nate and Jade McMackin of Tuck Away Acres Farms in Claybanks - Benona Township for their conservation efforts related to their grass-fed beef and free-range hog operations.
CTAP (Conservation Technical Assistance Program) Technician Lynda Herremans honored Oceana County Farm Bureau with this year’s 2025 MAEAP (Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program) Award for their 20-plus years of collaboration efforts with the district.
District Educator Kari Wilson was pleased to present Fred McHugh and Valerie Church-McHugh with the district’s “Volunteers of the Year” award for their steady presence, dedication and financial support of the many conservation programs sponsored by the OCD every year.
David Rabe, of Rabe Farms, shared a heartfelt description of this year’s “Friend of Oceana Agriculture” before naming Shelby fruit grower Phil Carter, of Carter Farms, as this year’s recipient. Instead of an engraved plaque, Carter received a personalized framed and matted photo collage. He thanked those gathered, saying, “To be recognized by one’s peers is the highest honor.”
The featured speakers for the evening were 4-H members Kenai Kokx, Alayna Hammerle and Lillian Wasson, who provided a recap of the “Citizen Washington Focus” conference they attended this past summer in Washington, D.C. They shared about how they enjoyed tours of many historic sites and meeting with local representatives and being able to participate in sessions designed to help them better understand and engage with the government and their communities back home.
The evening concluded with the announcement that the votes cast throughout the evening re-elected both Sheppard and Denny Payne to the two open seats on the OCD board of directors. Other OCD directors include Eric Herrygers, Garry McKeen, Larry Byl, Nancy Mathews, and John Stephens.
