Lake Michigan College to Host Roundtable on Future of Farming in Southwest Michigan

Event will feature local growers discussing sustainability, value-added agriculture, and opportunities for small farmers

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:00am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a single iconic farming object, such as a pitchfork or bushel of produce, in a bold, neon color palette that captures the innovative and community-focused spirit of sustainable agriculture in Southwest Michigan.A vibrant celebration of the diverse agricultural heritage and sustainable future of Southwest Michigan.New Buffalo Today

Lake Michigan College is hosting a roundtable discussion next week to explore the future of farming in Southwest Michigan. Moderated by LMC's Wine and Viticulture Program Director Tim Godfrey, the event will feature five local growers from Berrien County who will share their perspectives on trends like sustainable agriculture, agritourism, and value-added products. The panelists represent a diverse cross-section of the region's agricultural community, from organic vegetable and livestock farmers to regenerative wineries and cider producers.

Why it matters

Southwest Michigan is one of the most agriculturally diverse regions in the state, with a rich heritage of fruit orchards, vineyards, and small-scale farming. This event aims to highlight how local growers are adapting to changing consumer demands and environmental concerns by embracing sustainable, value-added, and community-focused agricultural models that could shape the future of farming in the area.

The details

The 'From Farm to Future: Sustainable Agriculture in Berrien County' roundtable will feature five panelists representing a cross-section of the region's agricultural landscape. They include Maxx Eichberg of Stranger Wine Company, a regenerative estate winery; Paula Camp of Carriage House Ciders, a cidery crafting barrel-aged hard cider from locally sourced heritage apples; Katie Burdett of Farmette, a sustainable farm marketplace and café; Paul Meulemans of Wild Coyote Organic Farm, a certified organic vegetable and livestock operation; and Brett Muchow of Verdant Hollow, a 225-acre regenerative farm and farmstead goat creamery.

  • The roundtable is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.
  • The event will take place on the LMC Benton Harbor campus in rooms L310-311.

The players

Tim Godfrey

Director of the Wine and Viticulture Program at Lake Michigan College, and the moderator of the roundtable discussion.

Maxx Eichberg

Owner of Stranger Wine Company, a regenerative estate winery in Buchanan, Michigan.

Paula Camp

Owner of Carriage House Ciders, a cidery in Benton Harbor, Michigan that crafts barrel-aged, European-style hard cider from locally sourced heritage apples.

Katie Burdett

Owner of Farmette, a sustainable farm marketplace and café in New Buffalo, Michigan.

Paul Meulemans

Owner of Wild Coyote Organic Farm, a certified organic vegetable and livestock operation in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Brett Muchow

Owner of Verdant Hollow, a 225-acre regenerative farm and farmstead goat creamery in Buchanan, Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“Michigan is the second most biodiverse state, only behind California. And then on top of that, our little corner of Southwest Michigan here is one of the most agriculturally biodiverse areas in the state. So when you start to piece all that together, it means that anything that we eat, drink, or use that is grown can pretty much be grown in our community here.”

— Tim Godfrey, Director of the Wine and Viticulture Program, Lake Michigan College

“What this event is specifically trying to do is reframe what agriculture could mean and what our place here in Southwest Michigan and what opportunities might exist for smaller farmers that are focused more on value-added agriculture, agritourism, sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture. A lot of buzzwords, but certainly terms that are getting people excited about agriculture again.”

— Tim Godfrey, Director of the Wine and Viticulture Program, Lake Michigan College

“Ultimately, we're relying on this panel to share their experiences, some of the challenges they've had starting their businesses, what they believe is important moving forward, and how others could get involved. And there'll certainly be opportunity for question and answer as well.”

— Tim Godfrey, Director of the Wine and Viticulture Program, Lake Michigan College

What’s next

The roundtable discussion is open to the public, and Godfrey encourages anyone with an interest in sustainable agriculture, local food, or the future of farming in Southwest Michigan to attend.

The takeaway

This event highlights how a new generation of small, innovative farmers in Southwest Michigan are embracing sustainable, value-added, and community-focused agricultural models that could shape the future of the region's rich farming heritage.