News

The barn doors are open

Selected farms across Michigan will open their doors for breakfast this summer.  Michigan’s Breakfast on the Farm events are in their ninth year with five host farms being featured in 2015.

The Stakenas family has been farming in Free Soil, in Western Michigan, for more than 95 years.  Today, the family milks more than 500 cows and farms 1,600 acres.  Bill Stakenas says it’s important that people know where their food comes from.

“I have four other siblings that don’t live near the farm and even they have a disconnect with how we actually operate and what we do.”

Stakenas tells Brownfield the farm has grown to help support the family make a living.

The event at the dairy will offer a free breakfast and farm tours.  Stakenas says several educational displays are planned including antique and modern equipment demonstrations. He says he hopes visitors leave impressed by modern agriculture.

“My real goal is for them to leave with the impression that agriculture is looking out for them.”  He tells Brownfield, “We want to grow a good product and we want people to feel comfortable with what we do.”

Stakenas says community support to coordinate the event on July 11 has been outstanding.

The Michigan Breakfast on the Farm events are becoming a model for other states, including Ohio, to educate the public about modern day agriculture.

AUDIO: Interview with Bill Stakenas (4:43 mp3):