Michael have served for over 34 years in the Ohio Army National Guard. He has held Command and staff positions at all levels up to Brigade Commander. He has deployed five times to the CENTCOM Area of Operation and he currently holds the rank of Colonel and is the 147th Regimental Commander in Command of the 147th Regional Training Institute.
"FVC has had a great impact on my agriculture business as well as me personally. In 2018, I received a $3,500 FVC Fellowship grant to purchase my first 4 breeding beef cows. Since, that time we have had 7 sets of calves born on the farm and expanded our herd to 15 head. I am also the President of the Ohio Chapter of FVC and make it my goal to help Ohio farmer veterans with support, networking, advice, educational workshops and webinars, as well as providing Ohio members with two $1,000 fellowships and assisting with travel stipends to the FVC Stakeholders Conference."
Contraban Farms operates a 150 chicken egg layer and broiler chicken and turkey production and operation. Their hens, broilers, and turkeys are free range, cage free, and pasture raised. Their eggs and meat are marketed via social media and direct sales. Large order customers include a farm to table personal private chef and small bakery. In 2019, they expanded the farm to include a small beef cattle operation consisting of 4 breeding age cows and several steers. They are currently on their 7th set of calves and have expanded their herd to 15 head.
Contraban Farms currently has 36 acres of mixed grass hay where they produce horse quality small square bales for small equine and ruminate farms within a 30 mile radius.
Michael was born and raised on a dairy farm and after moving to Columbus, Ohio to attend The Ohio State University, he realized there was no other place in the world he wanted to live, but back on the farm.
"Like being in the military, being a farmer means being part of something larger than yourself. Producing food for your community and being a good steward of natural resources is as equally rewarding as serving my Nation and the State of Ohio in uniform."
