SAGINAW, Mich. – In just a few years, a Michigan woman has gone from having no experience in farming to being recognized as a leader in the industry.

Taylor Schomaker is this year’s recipient of the Young Farmer Agriculture Leader Award from Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB).

The award honors successful young agriculturalists who earn the majority of their income from a farm operation, and for their outstanding leadership in farm bureau, farming and throughout the agricultural community, according to MFB.

Schomaker, 32, is a member of the Saginaw County branch of farm bureau near the thumb region of the state.

She and her husband, Ryan, are owners of Schomaker Farms, which raises primarily 30 or more varieties of produce such as sweet corn, green beans, celery, tomatoes, broccoli, pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries and watermelon, along with flowers.

Schomaker said she was “super excited” at receiving the award and feels it confirms their plunge into farming was the right decision.

“It just makes us feel like we’re headed down the right path,” she said.

The Schomakers went to high school together in nearby Hemlock. After graduating, Taylor went to Central Michigan University, where she earned a master’s degree in clinical nutrition.

She became a registered dietician with her own practice and purchased the produce she gave to clients to help with various conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Ryan, 35, went to work at Dow Chemical and worked his way up to the position of operator.

After marrying in 2018, they purchased 45 acres, which was part of a farm owned by her husband’s grandmother at the time, and put on a house on it.

Their dive into farming stemmed from an idea by her husband for them to grow some of the produce she was previously buying to improve the quality of life for her clients.

The next year, they started a 3-acre garden, offering produce from a wagon they placed along the road in front of the farm. They especially liked meeting their customers.

“From there, it just kind of exploded,” she said.

A few sheep, cows and pigs, along with about 100 chickens, were later added to the farm, which has a barn constructed in 1908 used to house the animals.

“We just decided to go all in and learn everything we could and do it in the best way that we could,” she said.

A majority of their produce is sold at a self-serve roadside stand open daily. 

The remainder is sold at the farm, which offers u-pick as an option, and a farmers market the couple started in nearby Thomas Township.

The Schomaker farm also has a petting zoo, playground and bounce houses during special weekend events that draw as many as 1,000 customers, such as the annual plant sale leading up to Mother’s Day and pumpkin sale before Halloween.

Customers at the farm are also taught things like how to grow and harvest produce, which are among the topics covered in separate classes. There’s also a program for children to experience farm life hands-on.

“We just are always seeking ways to tie the community together,” she said.

Taylor’s involvement at farm bureau includes serving as chairwoman of the promotions and education committee.

One of her goals is to grow the farm and continue educating the non-farming public.

“I’m also proud of expanding our education and outreach, creating programs and experiences that help people learn where food comes from and build trust in agriculture through hands-on connection,” she said.

Eventually, Ryan switched careers by completing an apprenticeship to become a union lineman working on power lines so his work schedule would give him more time to help on the farm.

Taylor, meanwhile, has taken a much less active role at her private practice to focus on the farm full-time. She has one full-time employee and a couple of part-time workers.

The couple’s third child is due in December.

She also serves on the board of directors for the Saginaw Conservation District.

The couple also just recently started the Schomaker Food and Farm Literacy Foundation, a non-profit ground dedicated to educating the public about agriculture.

It took a few years, but Taylor believes farming, despite having no prior experience, is her calling now in life.

“I do love it. The ability to be able to provide education in such a simple way is amazing,” she said.