Top of the Town 2023

The 5 Top Farmers Around Lansing

Mar 25, 2024

1 minute

1 Pray Farms - Pray Farms

2023 Winner
- 2023 Winner Best Farmer

2256 North Gunnell Road
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827

What the Business Says: Pray Farms has been farming in Windsor Township of Eaton County for more than 170 years and have been selling sweetcorn for over 20 years.

"Sweet corn!"

"Their corn is outstanding!"

"Best sweet corn!"

"Pray Farms grows the most delicious corn we have ever eaten. They also offer a wide selection of fresh produce at their farm stand."

"Best sweet corn in the nation!"

"They are friendly and some of the best veggies"

"Sweet corn can't be beat"

"Best corn in Michigan!"

— Why Locals Say Pray Farms is a 2023 Best Farmer winner!

2 Shara Trierweiler - Agape Organic Farms

2023 Second Place
- 2023 Second Place Best Farmer

1905 East Dexter Trail
Dansville, MI 48819

What the Business Says: Shara is one of only two Black organic farmers in the state of Michigan, and owns one of only nine black-owned farms. She runs Agape Farm with her two children, Philomena and Dominic, and a large team of volunteers and foodie enthusiasts. The Farm produces food for Michigan restaurants, markets, and food lovers.

"Wonderful person"

"Best mushrooms ever."

"Kindest person- cares so much about quality products."

"She is supporting other farmers and the development of an incubator for black farmers in the state, growing her operation, and always supporting other farmers through advocacy and community building"

"Best bacon! Outreach and education. Mushrooms!"

"Works hard, organic, female owned, friendly, awesome products"

"She operates by herself with very little support, yet is so supportive of all those around her!"

"Great person, best foods, square sausage links."

"Shara provides top-quality organic products, but she is also a light in the online community. Her positivity and passion for farming and food play a critical role in the online community."

"She works hard and loves her pigs! She is an example for ethical meat production. Organic pastured pork is healthier for our bodies."

"Her products are outstanding, and that's because of the care and treatment her animals get!"

"She is amazing at what she does!"

"Shara is an amazing person. Hard worker, cares about our community, and does everything with love"

"Minority owned, mentors other farmers and students, hardest working person I know...."

— Why Locals Say Shara Trierweiler is a 2023 Best Farmer winner!

3 Rebecca Titus - Titus Farms Leslie, Mi

2023 Runner Up
- 2023 Runner Up Best Farmer

Leslie, MI

What the Business Says: Farmer * Manager * CSA Consultant - I grew up on our land, in rural Ingham County, helping grow our small veggie patch and flowers, the only child of Paul and Rose Titus. "Helping" on the farm in those days was mostly playing with the cats or dog and letting my imagination run wild in the untamed woods surrounding the fields. Occasionally, I was interrupted by fetching something for mom and dad, or going to a farmers market only to sit under the table and observe. Times were not always great but, my parents made the farm work, while they maintained part to full-time jobs.

"Always goes out of her way to get us the best organic produce. Have been a CSA member for many years and Rebecca is the best local farmer!"

"Very knowlegeable and accommodating"

"Awesome person, great foods"

"Hard worker. Grew up farming. You have to love what you're doing to continue in the farming life. She does!"

"Had a share there! Great veggies!"

"So friendly."

"Kind, caring, patient, treats the land with love and care, great produce, great spirit. Love her!"

"Great produce, all year long."

— Why Locals Say Rebecca Titus is a 2023 Best Farmer winner!

4 Tom & Ashley Butcher - Butcher Farms

2023 Top 5
- 2023 Top 5 Best Farmer

2285 Coy Road
Mason, MI 48854

What the Business Says: Butcher Farms, located on Coy Rd in Mason, is a local family-run Farm that has been producing delicious fresh products since 2015. We purchased our home & farm in 2014 with the hope of beginning a small produce stand. After a near death car accident derailed those dreams 2 weeks after moving in, we had no idea what our future held for us. Through lots of prayers, an amazing medical team, hard work, and determination we were back at it nearly 9 months later and our first sweet corn crop was in the ground. We had no idea of the support that would follow that year. Each year since then we’ve grown tremendously and we count our blessings each day to be doing what we love.

"They are so friendly and helpful, every time we visit! Tom even helped me figure out what size freezer we’d need for our beef share. Just the best."

"Clean, pleasant, inviting farm stand and delicious products."

"Great family."

"good produce and meats"

"Great place to go for everything you need. Good food"

"Tom & Ashley grow their produce right where they sell it. It wasn't grown somewhere else and trucked in. It's a family business and you don't see that much of that anymore. Looking forward to continuing to support their family farm in years to come!"

"Hard working example setting family! Clean, fresh produce, welcoming farm, knowledgeable of their products!"

"Meats are wonderful"

"Best corn in mid-Michigan!"

— Why Locals Say Tom & Ashley Butcher is a 2023 Best Farmer winner!

5 Mark Kastner - Hillcrest Farms

2023 Top 5
- 2023 Top 5 Best Farmer

5858 Hillcrest Drive
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827

What the Business Says: My name is Mark Kastner, and I’m a pretty sophisticated individual; educated, but prefers to go under the radar as ‘Farmer Mark’. Hillcrest Farms is a chemical free, four-season farm in Eaton Rapids. And just like my wife Gayleen and I, it’s evolved over the years.

"He is so dedicated to his chemical free farming and is the nicest person - always willing to go extra and supplies local restaurants - Mark & his produce is Awesome!!!"

"Wonderful fresh organic produce!"

"Mark knows all of his customers by name, and their extended family as well. He truly cares and organic farming is his passion and life 100%."

"Mark is so very knowledgeable and his produce is unquestionably the BEST!"

— Why Locals Say Mark Kastner is a 2023 Best Farmer winner!

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The 5 Top Farmers Around Lansing

1 Pray Farms - Pray Farms

2 Shara Trierweiler - Agape Organic Farms

3 Rebecca Titus - Titus Farms Leslie, Mi

4 Tom & Ashley Butcher - Butcher Farms

5 Mark Kastner - Hillcrest Farms

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The 5 Top Farmers Around Lansing

1 Pray Farms - Pray Farms

2 Shara Trierweiler - Agape Organic Farms

3 Rebecca Titus - Titus Farms Leslie, Mi

4 Tom & Ashley Butcher - Butcher Farms

5 Mark Kastner - Hillcrest Farms

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