Meet our regional representatives, leaders within their regions, ready to assist you with resources specific to your area. Reach out to them for personalized guidance on finding resources available in your area!
Upper Peninsula - James DeDecker
Specific Areas of Interest:
Sustainable agriculture, soil health and fertility, integrated pest management and human dimensions of agricultural systems
Counties of Primary Responsibility:
Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Contact James: James DeDecker (msu.edu)
Northern Lower Michigan - Koffi Kpachavi
Koffi has been a leader in the non-profit sector for over 25 years. Much of his career has been with the YMCA, leading camps and youth programs in various parts of the country: Camps Mason, Ockanickon, Matollionequay in New Jersey, Camp Colman in Washington State, Camp Loma Mar in California, and Camp Echo in Michigan.
Most recently he worked at True North Community Services in Fremont, Michigan, where he supervised an after-school program for several local school districts. The program was funded through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a federal grant administered by the Michigan Department of Education. Koffi holds a BA in English and French literature from the University of Lome in West Africa.
Koffi and his wife, Teresa, have three boys: Arnaud, Ian and Yannick. Arnaud, the oldest, is a Conservation Officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Ian started graduate school in Fall 2020 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Yannick studies information technology systems at Ferris State University. Teresa works remotely for Stanford University managing online courses for the Continuing Studies program.
When he is not working, Koffi is passionate about environmental issues and is involved in Agriculture. He is the founder and former president of the Fremont Area Bee Club. He is also an enology (oenology) enthusiast with a focus on geology and wine-grape growing around the world. He co-leads educational sessions in France and the U.S.
Contact Koffi: Staff - Koffi Kpachavi — Grand Traverse Conservation District (natureiscalling.org)
Mid-Michigan - Paul Gross
Paul Gross: Paul recently retired after a 30 plus year career as an Educator with Michigan State University Extension, where he specialized in Field Crops, Cover Crops, Water Quality, and Soil Health. His dedication to sustainable agriculture and improving farming practices made a significant impact on the communities he served. Following his retirement, Paul continues to share his expertise as an Adjunct Faculty member in Agriculture at Mid-Michigan College. He is passionate about supporting small and beginning farmers, focusing on their success in production, business development, and land access. He is staying busy serving on the Michigan Farmers Union board.
Counties include Arenac, Bay, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Osceola, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola
Contact Paul: grossp@msu.edu
West Michigan - Becky Huttenga
A lifelong resident of Ottawa County, Becky grew up as a 4-H kid on a 24-acre hobby farm in Spring Lake Township before heading off to Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science.
After college, she developed a diverse resume, including nutritional sales at Purina Mills and Program Assistant for MSUE’s 4-H program. In 2011, she became Executive Director at the Ottawa Conservation District, which set her on the path of bridging the worlds of natural resources and agriculture. She continues this vital work today leading Ottawa County's brownfield redevelopment and farmland protection initiatives.
Becky is a Farm Bureau member, currently serving on the Promotion and Education Committee. She currently resides in the City of Grand Haven. In her free time she enjoys volunteering at local festivals, fostering rescued puppies, watching Spartan basketball, reading, and playing league soccer.
Contact Becky: Staff - Ottawa County, Michigan (miottawa.org)
Southeast Michigan - Jill Dohner
Jill is working with a group of passionate agricultural advocates from across Michigan to grow the MiFarmLink program, an effort started in Ottawa County that helps preserve farmland by connecting agricultural landowners looking to sell/lease land with beginning farmers looking for land to farm.
She graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Master's in Forest Ecology and Management. Jill owns Rustic Roots Farm where she tends honeybees, poultry, goats, a fruit orchard and garden, greenhouse production, and woodworking. Jill has served on the Washtenaw County Conservation District board for 10 years prior and now is a Farm Bureau member in District 3. She has experience in forestry, including tree planting organizations, agriculture, and working with a diversity of farmers.
She is eager to assist new farmers in linking them to farmland, while preserving farms for legacy landowners.
Contact Jill: info@mifarmlink.org
