Each year for the last 19 years, Michigan Farmer has bestowed the prestigious Master Farmer on three individuals including Louis Wierenga Jr. of Hastings.

Wierenga is currently farming 960 acres at Maple Knoll Farms, raising alfalfa, corn and soybeans.

For 25 years, Wierenga has planted test plots for seed companies to collect information, as well as research plots for new products.

He has created strong relationships with local agribusinesses, including supplying corn to Herbrucks Poultry for over 39 years and Carbon Green Bioenergy Plant for more that 10 years.