Jun 23, 2015

American Agri-Women Drive Across America visits Michigan

One of the reasons American Agri-Women (AAW) President, Sue McCrum, Maine, and 1st VP, Doris Mold, Wisconsin, are participating in a campaign across America is to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary.

Many Michigan Farmers will remember the Michigan Branch of this organization when it was WSAM, Women for the Survival of Agriculture in Michigan, now Michigan Agri-Women. WSAM was one of the founding groups of this national organization.

McCrum and Mold are driving across America in a pickup truck to visit many of their affiliate organizations across America. AAW is made up of 56 affiliates organizations of farm, ranch and agribusiness women with more than 40,000 members throughout the country. This organization was originally formed with regard to women in agriculture as a means of letting the country know about affordable food sources, where its food and fiber comes from and fuel supplies.

The Drive Across America tour ladies were, according to them, well taken care of by Michigan Agri Women President, Kim Schmuhl, of Coloma, Angela Thompson, and Jennifer Meachum. On Friday, June 19th Sarah Jollay at her familyʼs farm market greeted them. Local members turned out to enjoy the morning. The ladies went on to tour farms throughout Southwestern Michigan. They toured with Karen and Rocky Kietzer by land and by air. Then on to agri-business Crop Production Services, where member Nicole Ginter is warehouse manager at that facility, Piggot's Farm Market, member Allissa McManus, and Nye's Apple Barn with member Angela Thompson.

One other stop was High Acre Farms, members Jennifer Meachum and Nicole Meachum. There was also a tour of GreenMark Equipment of Eau Clair, a John Deere dealership.

Connee Canfield, a pickle grower in the area, assisted with many of the arrangements.