Master Farmer Honored for Advancing in Agriculture Industry

John Felzke earns Master Farmer Award

Posted: Jan 31, 2012

The Master Farmer award recognizes the finest farmers in Michigan. It is awarded by Michigan Farmer magazine, Michigan Farm Radio Network and Michigan Agri-Business Association and sponsored by GreenStone Farm Credit Services and Mosiac.

Every community has a Master Farmer in its midst. But unless you let us know about a deserving individual and family, they may go unnoticed for what they do.

Clinton County resident, John Felzke received the Master Farmer Award as one of three recipients earlier this month.

Felzke Farms and Farm Market is a multi-faceted agribusiness, which includes 4,000 acres, owned and leased; cash crop production of corn, soybeans, wheat oats, edible black beans, hay and specialty crops of fruit and vegetables, including strawberries for U-pick and retail sale; farm market operation; maple syrup production from four woodlots; 160 feeder cattle; greenhouse and nursery; custom combing and commodity trucking.

John says that the original 4-acre patch that was started in 1978 has grown to more than 40 acres.

 “I was 12 years old at the time, and since then all I’ve ever known for the month of June is being in the strawberries. It’s our family’s summer routine.” 

The farm’s continued expansion in cash crop production and retail sales of its fruits and vegetables created a need for added space and the construction of multiple buildings over the years. The intricate expansion of barns, grain dryers and storage elevators located next to the farmstead is mirrored across the road by several buildings that house operations for Felzke Farms Strawberries, Greenhouse and Farm Market. Felzke Farms has come a long way since 1979 when Felzke’s parents parked their Winnebago trailer in the strawberry fields and attached a red tarp to it that provided cover for the fruit.

Steady growth in strawberry production (nearly 250,000 pounds per year) led to expansion into other specialty crops like sweet corn, asparagus and raspberries, which created a need for even more space. A larger barn was built in the early 1990s, followed by the greenhouse and nursery building in 2003. 2010 brought with it the construction of the 8,000 square foot farm market, where the farm’s famous fruit and vegetables are joined by jams, jellies, sauces, Felzke’s homemade maples syrup, popping corn, bakery items and ice cream.

John and his wife Mary operate the family business with their children Caleb, Emily and Thomas.

Felzke was nominated by MAC President, Dave Geers for his passion for agriculture and his drive for success that is necessary among leaders of our industry. Geers said,

“John is always searching for opportunities to grow and advance his own business, as well as Michigan’s agriculture industry.”

The other Master Farmer recipients are Ron Helmreich of Freeland, Mich. and Frank Lipinski of Buckley, Mich. 

For more information please visit http://magissues.farmprogress.com/mif/MF01Jan12/MF01%20to17.html