ABOUT our board
President
I have been farming Michigan Blueberries for over 15 years. I started in 2006 working for my family farm Reenders Blueberry Farms. There I learned how to fix machines, run harvesters, manage employees, and much more. Over the past few years I joined the MBBAC because I saw that our industry needed a voice at the table when it came to issues bigger than just one farm.
I am grateful to be working for the MBBAC in moving the needle in the right direction so Michigan Blueberries are the focus of every issue moving across the table. As an industry we need to work together, and make sure our industry is here for the next generations.
Chad Reenders
Vice President
Nathan Payne
Nathan Payne is a first generation blueberry farmer. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s in science. After graduation he worked as a wildlife biologist and forester managing forest restoration. He moved to Tawas in 2019 and purchased an established family-owned U-pick blueberry farm. The farm has been in existence for over 70 years and he takes pride in carrying on the reputation of the farm and offering it as a food source for the members of the community. He is involved in multiple organizations in the area and currently serves as the chairman of the Iosco County Conservation district, sits on the steering committee for the Huron coastal invasive species network and is the president of the county’s Farm Bureau also sitting on the fruit and vegetable advisory committee.
Treasurer
Kelley Reenders
I became involved in the Blueberry Industry at age 16 when I started working at my future Father in Law’s Blueberry Farm. Twenty-one years later, Dave and I started Crossroads Blueberry Farm with 120 acres. It was a “Crossroads” in our life. We are now farming 700 acres. We pack fresh, process, and operate a U-Pick and Retail Store.
I have served as a Delegate and on the Policy Development board for Farm Bureau. I currently lead a Small Group for our church, Harvest of Spring Lake.
I have served on the board of MBBAC for several years. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” (an African Proverb). To go far in this industry, a united voice is needed and I look forward to continuing and seeing progress made though our united voices being heard.
Secretary
Molly Restum
As a third-generation blueberry grower, I have had the pleasure of growing up with blueberries at DeGrandchamps Blueberry Farm in South Haven. After graduating from Michigan State University, I briefly worked in the grocery industry until I realized how important it is to me to help carry on the family legacy. I returned to the farm full time in 2019 and I manage the packing operations and Human Resources. I am excited to serve on the MBBAC and help other blueberry growers so they can carry their own legacies into the future.
Administrative Secretary
Jennifer Spears
I have spent much of my life around Michigan’s blueberry industry, gaining experience in both the field and business sides of the industry. My early experience included working in blueberry fields and packing operations, which gave me an appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into producing and bringing Michigan blueberries to market. Since 2008, I have worked for True Blue Farms in a variety of administrative and operational roles. I also serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the Michigan Frozen Food Packers Association and have supported the Michigan Blueberry Commission as Assistant to the Secretary/Treasurer since its inception in 2017. I value the relationships and sense of community that are such an important part of Michigan agriculture. I am especially passionate about supporting family farms and the continued success of the blueberry industry. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside growers and industry partners through the Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee and to contribute to a strong future for Michigan blueberries.
Board Director
Gabe Bocock
Board Director
Bio Coming Soon!
Mark Davis
Mark Davis is the Managing Partner of Jawor Bros. Blueberries, a 1,000+ acre fully vertically-integrated blueberry farm located in Ravenna, Michigan. Mark is also the Founder and Managing Partner of Commonwealth Ag, an investment management firm focused on the acquisition, aggregation and optimization of a geographically diverse portfolio of North American permanent crop farmland. Before getting involved in Agribusiness in 2012, Mark spent almost twenty-five years in financial services and capital markets as well as consulting and strategic advisory. Mark is a graduate of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, where he played varsity football for four years, and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC - Chapel Hill.
Board Director
Uriel Botello
Board Director
Dave Reenders
Uriel Botello has worked in the blueberry industry for over 15 years and has a strong agricultural background that spans back three generations. The majority of his time has been dedicated to working with West Michigan blueberry growers. His pre and post season experience, varies from spraying herbicides, pruning blueberry bushes between the months of March – May, and October-December and everything in between. During harvest time he coordinates various hand harvesting groups ranging from 15-300 people, across West Michigan and North Carolina with the most recent addition of Georgia. In 2018 he started a workforce agency called Botello Harvesting LLC to compensate for the labor demand. Since then, his agency has helped provide farmers in various states with the right labor force needed to maintain and run their farms.
Bio Coming Soon!