Four Michigan Farm Families will be inducted into Farmers Hall of Fame during the 2026 Induction ceremony at 2pm ,Saturday, Sept. 12th at the Presbyterian Church in Hastings.
This Year’s inductees are Phil and Becky Wenger of Middleville. The Wengers began farming in 1976, building an operation that included a 150 head of Dairy and 1400 acers of cash crops. Phil adapted corn planters to help local farmers promote minimum tillage at planting and continues to provide custom fieldwork, The operation has focused on growing grains, corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and raising dairy steers. The farm is on track to become a Centennial Farm in 2027, with their son preparing to take over the operation as the fourth generation.
Darrell and Kathy Newton of Nashville built their farm from the ground up to an operation of 2000 acres and maintained a cow-calf operation from more than 45 years before retiring in 2021. Their commitment to agriculture and their community includes service on the Farm Bureau County Committee Board and as 4-H leaders. Their contributions have been recognized with the Barn Again Award in 1988, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Successful Farming magazine and Distinguished Service Award in 2005.
Dennis and Dawn Iott’s Seed Farm have been farming for more than 45 years growing approximately 27 million pounds of seed potatoes each year along with wheat and rye in the Kalkaska area.
And Darwin & Kathy Sneller of Sebewaing farming for more than 50 years on a 943 acre registered Holstein dairy and cash crop operation.
The Hall of Fame Ceremony is open to family, friends and fellow farmers and community members. The Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame continues its tradition of recognizing farmers whose dedication, perseverance and service have helped shape Michigan Agriculture and their communities.
