paula bartholome

This concludes our series of posts about small farmers and artisans in southwest Michigan. We featured stories about Local, Pat and Ellie Mullins's new retail business selling artisanal meats; Tabula Rasa Farm and its determined owners Bill and Greta Hurst; and the grass-fed beef Bob and Janet Schuttler are raising on Middlebrook Farm. In each case, their business is only a few years old, but growing under the impassioned care of dedicated founders. They represent just a few of Michigan's thousands of fabulous farmers and producers.

This is part three in our series of posts about small farmers and artisans in southwest Michigan. Earlier this week, we featured stories about a new retail business selling artisanal meats, and about a couple growing Chardonnay grapes. Today we profile the owners of another small farm. Tomorrow we will close with some observations about the future of small-scale agriculture in Michigan.

A Visit to Middlebrook Farm

Bob and Janet Schuttler didn’t set out to raise and sell grass-fed beef. Bob chalks it up to “dumb luck.” They had run out of projects at their vacation home near Lake Michigan and started driving by rural properties—including the 22-acres of land and 1844 farmhouse that comprise Middlebrook Farm. They bought the place in 2005, and two years later, Bob left his family-owned, Chicago-area construction business.

Photograph by Greta HurstThis is part two in our series of posts about small farmers and artisans in Michigan. Yesterday, we started with a bit of background on the state of small agriculture in Michigan and profiled a new business selling artisanal meats. Today we meet a couple learning the business of growing wine grapes. Check back later this week for the story of another southwest Michigan grower, and some thoughts about the future of small-scale ag in Michigan.

Starting From Scratch at Tabula Rasa Farm

Welcome to Michigan Week at SGT!

This week we are delighted to feature a series of posts about small farmers and artisans in the Great Lake State. Today, we give you a bit of background on the state of small agriculture in Michigan and profile a new business called—our readers will appreciate this—“Local.” Over the next two days we will look at two other family farm businesses, and on Friday offer some thoughts about the future of small-scale ag in Michigan. 

21st Century Agriculture in Michigan

 When you think of Michigan what comes to mind? Did you think: