By Michael Ceja, Michigan Ag Council Outreach Specialist
Each year, since 2020, the Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT campaign has charged a team of ambassadors to travel Michigan to serve as the faces of Michigan agriculture. Michigan is the 2nd most agriculturally diverse state in the nation growing over 300 different GREAT-tasting, high-quality, fresh foods and products annually! In a state with over 44,000 family-owned farms, these ambassadors come from a variety of different backgrounds, experiences, and will each bring a different perspective to every interaction they will have.
Thomas Brewer-Brown | Flint, Michigan
Thomas Brewer-Brown is currently pursuing a degree in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education, with minors in Horticulture and Environmental Sustainability Studies at Michigan State University. While growing up in Flint, Michigan, he was not originally brought up in an agricultural family, yet he learned about his passion for agriculture by joining an agriscience program at his local career center and participating in FFA events. Thomas hopes to connect people in urban areas with all the diverse opportunities that agriculture has to offer!
Michigan boasts an incredible variety of agricultural products, but his favorite is cherries. He has a particular appreciation for Cherry Republic, a company based in northern Michigan. Some of his fondest memories include visiting their shops with his family and sampling the many cherry-inspired products they offer.
Leah Engler | Sandusky, Michigan
Leah grew up in the thumb being involved in 4-H and FFA. Although she didn’t grow up on a farm, Leah decided she wanted to work in agriculture after meeting so many farmers who were supportive of her trying to learn more about the industry. She quickly found her passion for dairy cattle and crop farming. Leah graduated from Grace College in 2024 with degrees in agriculture business and business administration and is now working at Johnson’s pumpkin farm in the fall and P&C Ag solutions the rest of the year.
Blueberries are her favorite Michigan GROWN food—partly because of the fond memories she has of picking up big boxes of them every summer with his grandma at Fritz’s Blueberry Farm. They’re also a delicious treat, whether eaten on their own or baked into muffins, pancakes, and pies.
Lilly Nyland | Holland, Michigan
Fueled by her value for authenticity, her faith, and hard work, Lilly Nyland is a genuine advocate for agriculture and educating consumers. Her passion for agriculture began showing horses, steers, pigs, sheep, and goats. It continued to grow through her administrative work at GDW Turkey Farms and her strong involvement and success in FFA. Lilly also graduated with the Seal of Biliteracy and is fluent in Spanish. She finds joy in traveling for mission trips, pouring into youth, and doing anything outdoors. Lilly is thrilled to be a Michigan GROWN Michigan GREAT Ambassador and demonstrate gratefulness for the agriculture industry!
Lilly’s favorite Michigan GROWN commodity is turkeys. Her time working at GDW Farm, a local turkey operation, during and after high school sparked a strong appreciation for the poultry industry. West Michigan is home to many turkey farms, creating a close-knit farming community that Lilly is proud to be part of. She’s seen firsthand the hard work that goes into turkey production, the uniqueness of the systems, and how the experience has helped her grow both personally and professionally.
Kendal Valentine | Richmond, Michigan
Kendal Valentine holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She currently works in the agritourism industry, combining her passion for agriculture with public outreach. When she’s not working, you’ll find her riding and showing horses, raising turkeys, or spending time with family and friends. Her ultimate goal is to be a voice for farmers and agricultural producers, using her knowledge and experience to support agricultural outreach and drive a positive change in the industry.
When asked what her favorite Michigan GROWN product is, she noted that apples are her favorite fruit and any apple desserts are her favorite, especially apple crumble pie. A close second would be hay. As a horse showman, she knows just how important hay is to their diets, but she also think hay fields are the prettiest when growing!
Anna Woller | Montague, Michigan
Anna Woller lives on her third-generation family crop and cattle farm. She was a 2024 graduate from Montague High School. She is furthering her education at Muskegon Community College and will soon transfer to Michigan State University, where she will study Crop and Soil Science. Anna was heavily involved in FFA, holding leadership positions in both her local and regional chapters. Anna has been in 4-H for 13 years, showing calves, steers, and pigs; through 4-H, she was also her county’s ambassador. Anna is excited for this opportunity to share with the public about Michigan agriculture!
When Anna was asked about her favorite Michigan GROWN commodities, she couldn’t pick just one. “I have two different products that are my favorite and cannot decide!” she shared. Her first favorite is asparagus—a crop her family has grown for as long as she can remember. “It may not always be everyone’s favorite, but I think it tastes great!” she said. Her second favorite is Michigan peaches. Not only are peaches her favorite fruit, but peach orchards also happen to be her favorite to scout during the growing season.
Zoey Zupin | Ithaca, Michigan
This is Zoey’s fourth year as an ambassador. She is an enthusiastic agricultural educator who has a passion for teaching others about Michigan agriculture, which is what drove her to come back to serve another term. She completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Agriculture Education in 2024. When she is not teaching, she spends her time running, walking her dog, and exploring the outdoors.
Zoey’s favorite Michigan GROWN product is apples. She loves them for their delicious taste, nutritional value, and the wide variety of options available to choose from!
As we move through 2025, these six ambassadors will proudly represent the Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT campaign, connecting with consumers across the state and sparking meaningful conversations about Michigan agriculture and food. Whether they’re sharing stories from the farm, attending events, or giving you a behind-the-scenes look at life in agriculture, you won’t want to miss their journey. Stay up to date on their latest activities by following us on Facebook and Instagram!
About the Author
Michael Ceja
Michael is the Outreach Specialist for the Michigan Ag Council. Before entering his current role, Michael served as a Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT Ambassador from 2020-2022.
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