EAST LANSING — The MSU Product Center recently named B & B Farms in Marion its Value-added Agricultural Producer Award.
Dan and Bonnie Blackledge accepted the honor during the ninth annual Making It In Michigan conference and trade show on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The event at the Lansing Center provides specialty food entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their products and connect with buyers from retail markets. During the conference, awards were presented recognizing outstanding Product Center clients.
The Value-added Agricultural Producer Award recognizes a farm business that has attained excellence in adding value to a raw agricultural product and increased the profitability of the farm. It showcases Michigan agriculture with its diversity and the economic benefits that can be derived from entrepreneurial endeavors.
B & B Farms produces cold pressed canola oil from 100 acres of canola grown on the third-generation farm in Clare County. Dan is an innovative, forward-thinking entrepreneur, and leader in the canola industry and began growing canola in 2007. Initially bio-diesel processing options were first explored but it was later determined that there was more opportunity in the culinary oil market.
Since 2013, the Blackledges have been pressing oil in their on-farm licensed kitchen. They have outgrown their pressing facility and are now under construction with a new facility for expanded processing. Their product is available in specialty and retail outlets across Michigan.
To learn more about the B & B Farms, visit youtube.com/watch?v=J6j0ndWIof0&feature=youtu.be.
