Dec 12, 2025

Meet the 2025 Michigan Master Farmers: Fusilier Family Farms, Sarah Black

Michigan hort society names award recipients

Celebrating the achievements of individuals whose contributions have shaped Michigan’s agricultural landscape, the Michigan State Horticultural Society (MSHS)’s Master Farmer Award and Master Farmer Associate Award honored Fusilier Family Farms and Sarah Black.

The awards were presented during the EXPO Social at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO on Dec. 10, 2025. 

Fusilier Family Farms – Master Farmer Award

Fusilier Family Farms is located in Manchester, Mich., in Washtenaw County. Fusilier Family
Farms is a sixth-generation farm growing fruits, vegetables and flowers across 250 acres.

At Fusilier Family Farms, the season starts early underneath plastic hoophouses. A few years
ago, the farm lost a barn to a fire. Since then, the farm has rebuilt parts of the barn and has upgraded its cooler.

Mike and Kathy Fusilier, along with sons Chad, Travis and his wife Melissa, are the core of today’s farm, alongside dozens of employees. With a loyal following of people who travel to the market specifically to get the Fusilier Family Farms produce, they have a well-known presence at these markets, where they’ve participated for decades. Fusilier Family Farms attends seven of the largest farm markets in Southeast Michigan, plus the family owns their own farm market in Manchester and one in Chelsea.

Fusilier Family Farms also has a home delivery program that’s one-of-a-kind. Pair that with their CSA and you can get your produce just about any way possible.

As Vice President for Michigan Farm Bureau and district director for Michigan Farm Bureau district 3, Mike knows the importance of a strong agriculture industry.

The Michigan Vegetable Council proudly welcomes Fusilier Family Farms to the list of recipients of the Master Vegetable Farmer Award. A short video on Fusilier Family Farms can be found below:

Sarah Black – Master Farmer Associate Award

Sarah Black spent the first 27 years of her career working for Michigan Farm Bureau as a regional
representative on the National Legislative Council. For the last 12 years, Sarah has served as the director of the Public Policy & Commodity Division. Additionally, Sarah is the general manager for Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, LLC — the largest H-2A contract filer in Michigan.

The vegetable farms in Michigan rely on a workforce that is composed of many employees who come to
the United States to work on the H-2A Visa program. These farms contract their workforce through
Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, LLC. The farmers who directly interact with Sarah and the team always speak highly of Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, LLC. Without these employees, there would be no vegetable farms.

Sarah isn’t one to miss industry meetings and is always a full participant and leader, no matter what the project is. Sarah lives and breathes Michigan agriculture, spending years on the circuit of youth and animals in agriculture, touring the countryside to different animal ag events. Sarah is also active in the youth fair in Clinton County. Sarah has led 4-H clubs and served on the county 4-H livestock committee and the 4-H dairy council.

This year’s award was given to Sarah because the Michigan Vegetable Council unanimously stated that Sarah Black is the best at what she does, and the specialty crop industry is beyond lucky to have her as a partner to all of us. Sarah has the best interests of Michigan’s agriculture industry in mind — and her work shows that.

The Michigan Vegetable Council is pleased to present the 2025 Master Vegetable Farmer Associate
Award to Sarah Black of Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, LLC. A short video on Sarah Black can be found below: