This week, “Adventures from the Corn Belt” took us to the southeast shores of Lake Michigan where I had the opportunity to visit STAR Partners in the area. And, since I had never seen the Great Lakes before, an afternoon of adventuring was in order!

The First Visit

The first STAR Partner dealer I visited was Ryan Meachum in Hartford, Michigan. He and his two brothers have quite the family business that covers a vast array of agricultural commodities such as apples, grapes, jalapenos, strawberries, plums, corn, soybeans, and wheat. They also operate a rail line, mainly shipping canola, grain and by-products from ethanol plants. He shared with me that this rail line is in infant stages, as they’re considering having a more diverse array of products. “Agriculture has allowed me to make a good, honest living,” he shared in his interview. Check out the LG Seeds YouTube channel to learn more about his dealership and business.

Taking over the Family Farm

The next STAR Partner I visited with was Kurt & Klint Blaauw in Shelbyville, Michigan. These two gentlemen have worked hard to take over the family farm and grow their dealership. They both stay busy with families of their own and their own enterprise within the farm. However, as fourth generation agriculturalists, they understand that continuing to expand the family business is critical in allowing them to pass on the farm someday. It was fun to visit with them and listen to the changes in the agriculture industry over the past four to five years.

Afternoon Adventures 

After my STAR Partner visits, it was time for an afternoon adventure. Growing up, showing cattle at the state fair was the closest my family got to a vacation. So, when I reached Michigan, I couldn’t wait to explore the beaches of Lake Michigan. South Haven, MI had picture-perfect storefronts and cute ice cream shops. Walking around in the sand was a much different experience than what I was used to – walking through the black dirt of central Iowa.

My cows at home must have gotten word that I disappeared and went to the beach, because Wednesday afternoon, they called me home. I was happy to get back to the land of black dirt and was able to finally sit at my desk and start editing the photos and videos I took during the week. I’ve loved my travels so far and can’t wait to see where the next few weeks take me.

Grab your cowboy hat, boots, and Fourth of July sparklers because for the next two weeks, we are headed west to visit STAR Partners in South Dakota and Nebraska. Stay tuned for more “Adventures from the Corn Belt!”