By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — Chris and Jamie Demerly of Owosso were named runners-up for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmer Achievement Award during the recent AFBF 90th convention and annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

The Demerlys qualified for the national competition after Chris won the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Young Farmer Achievement Award at that annual meeting in December. The national award contest also includes spouses, so in Texas, the Demerlys competed for the honor as a couple. The awards program recognizes outstanding young farmers between the ages of 18-35 for their achievements as farmers as well as for their leadership activities.

The couple, who have been active members with the Shiawassee County Farm Bureau and at the state level, were surprised when they won the state contest and came in second during the national competition.

“We were very surprised and honored that we were chosen at the state level and to represent Michigan on the national level,” Chris Demerly said. “All of the contestants have such a diverse and unique situation. It was an honor to be chosen and to meet the other contestants.”

“We were pretty shocked,” Jamie Demerly said. “It makes you feel like there are people who recognize the fact that what you’re doing means something.”

Chris, 34, has farmed full-time in partnership with his parents, Dick and Janet Demerly, for the last 13 years. He joined the operation after earning a farm business management degree from Michigan State University in 1995. He has helped the family nearly double its farm to about 2,200 acres and maintain no-till practices while producing corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum, sunflowers and oats. He also operates his own straw and hay baling business.
He said his parents and family have been encouraging and supportive of the couple’s endeavors over the years.

“If we didn’t have the solid foundation, support and encouragement, none of this would have happened,” he said. “From no-tilling and doing our own spraying to the crazy idea of purchasing an old feed mill … if it makes sense and you can put together a plan to move forward, you can do it.”

In 2004, Chris and Jamie, along with his family, purchased Corunna Mills, Inc. The Demerlys market most of their crops through the mill, where much of their grain is mixed into birdseed and sold through a variety of wholesalers as well as in their retail store.
“We plant, harvest and sell our own crops,” Jamie said. “We manufacture and bag birdseed here. We had sold our commodities to the previous owner. The business was good when we bought it, but we have quadrupled the accounts he had.”

The Demerlys produce and ship 50-60 tons of birdseed per week. In addition to using their own commodities in their birdseed, they support other local farmers by purchasing their commodities. “We try to keep our business local,” they said.

The Demerlys said they didn’t really think much about all of the time they have spent working as Farm Bureau volunteers until they were nominated by their county Farm Bureau to fill out the award application.

“It’s just something we do,” Chris said. “As farmers, we work a lot of hours. We’ve also been involved with Farm Bureau’s young farmers since we were married.

“It’s neat to see all of the activities you have done when you write it all down on the award form. It’s surprising to realize what you have done.”

“For years we have attended leadership conferences. We have been consistent in our community and have worked to become better leaders,” Jamie said. “We’ve always tried to be true to ourselves and not let anyone lead us in a direction that we didn’t want to go.”
Outside of work, the Demerlys have three children and devote much of their time to local church and youth sports teams.