
Shady Side Farm
Mike and Lona Bronkema are first-generation farmers, and bought Shady Side Farm in 1992 from a retiring farmer.
They raise several type of fresh beans, including many heirloom varieties, and raise a sheep flock consisting of 100 Polypay ewes and their lambs. The wool from their sheep is processed at a Michigan mill, and they sell it as yarn, bedding, and as their popular dryer balls. They also sell grass-fed lamb and certified organic grass-fed beef from their small herd of Belted Galloway cattle. The heritage corn and grains from their farm are locally milled into flour, bran, meal and grits. Shady Side Farm prides themselves on their biological farming practices, paying careful attention to the soil and its health. They have been certified through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program since 2004. Their crops have been certified organic through Global Organic Alliance since 2010 and in 2021, they became certified through the Real Organic Project.