Other Farm and Country

The Wojciechowski brothers have learned at a very early age the importance of working hard and earning one's keep on their family farm in Manistee, Michigan. Skylar, Hunter, and Connor are excited that some of their crops may be used by Brandon Seng's Manistee Community Kitchen to help feed hungry families in the area. For more information on the Manistee Community Kitchen visit: www.manisteekitchen.org. F9 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Brothers Hunter, Connor, and Skylar Wojciechowski work hard picking strawberries at their family farm in Manistee, Michigan. With the help of their parents, Jim and Jennifer, the Wojciechowski family sells their fruits and vegetables every Saturday all summer long at the Manistee Farmers Market. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

I came across the Woodland Farm Market driving back from dropping the kids off to their dad one weekend. I was in heaven! They have the biggest, most flavorful blackberries for sale here. I bought many quarts for the blackberry jelly that I was making and have every year since!

On October 9, 2010, the Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 3rd annual Barns & Byways Tour in Mason County. This year, the tour will take place in Victory Township. The beautiful Victory Trinity Lutheran Church will be included on the tour. F6.3 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 27 mm

If you have never had one of the homemade cookies at the Old Mission General Store, do yourself a favor, and go visit this Michigan treasure. The owners are the nicest people, and the store is like walking back in time. Rachel and I had the best visit there today. I blew my diet, but it was so worth it!

Magic light strikes the path to the Green family farm on Beaver Island. Ludington friends Tony and Betty Green invited Debbie and me to visit the 120-acre farm established by Tony's family nearly 150 years ago when they emigrated from Arranmore Island, Ireland to this Lake Michigan island. F4.0 at 1/40, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Have you figured out yet what you are looking at? It is a giant, super fat pig covered in mud and flies. The pig gave me a toothy grin today as it tried to cool itself off in the 90-degree weather. F2.8 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

My dad is the master of making great art from old abandoned houses. I have photographed a few, but never had the same kind of success. When Betsy spotted this scene on south Stiles Road near Marrison Avenue, I instantly knew that the game was on between my dad and me. F8.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

Farmer Ralph Oomen pauses by his truck after looking over a 100-acre field of zucchini in a West Michigan field. Ralph and his brother Ken of Oomen Brothers Farm in Hart, Michigan, grow 1,500 acres of vegetables. F11 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

I wish I knew the story behind this abandoned home on First Street in Scottville, Michigan. Tonight, the light was hitting the tops of the surrounding trees and the upper story of the old homestead. Normally, when I see this house, it looks haunted and a bit scary. On this night it looked beautiful and gave me a sense of hope..

Did you know that Michigan has more horses than almost any state in the Union? These particular riders and horses were photographed on US31 on the way into Traverse City, Michigan. They are actually part of a giant iron gate at the entrance of the Walton horse ranch. Cameras do lie! F8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 46mm

One of the most unusual looking Michigan farm animals I have ever seen poses statuesquely atop a hill as Brad and I are driving down a country road northeast of Elk Rapids, Michigan. The stout Boer goat's body looks big enough to be a calf or small pony but the long ears let us know it is indeed a goat. I can't resist making this image to share with our "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute" followers. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I wish I knew more about the history of this old farmhouse near the corner of Morton Road and Hawley Road. One of the coolest features is the rotting couch on the front porch. What a great setting for a horror movie! F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

Roger and Marcia Hansen own two donkeys at their family farm on Conrad Road. These donkeys keep me entertained all year long every time I drive by. I used my widest angled lens and got extremely close to this white donkey in order to make his head look twice the size it should. This photograph will always remind me of "Donkey" from Shrek. F14 at 1/250, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

Ethan and I took an early morning drive today looking for the sunrise. The clouds blocked most of the sunshine and color, but the fog and atmosphere made for a beautiful morning. This old farm on Victory Corners Road looked especially peaceful in the cold, crisp dawn. F8.0 at 1.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

It looks to me like this windmill is spinning clouds today. The windmill towers over the animal farm that is one of the added attractions of the Kensington Metro Park Farm Center. I guess in this case KFC does not stand for Kentucky Fried Chicken. F11 at 1/250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Farming is big business in Clare, one of Michigan's busiest agricultural areas. The Johnston Elevator in downtown Clare has served several generations of farmers. I love that the traditional elevator building has been maintained as modern additions have been added. F5.6 at 1/400, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 32mm

I can appreciate the work that went into cutting, hauling, splitting, and stacking this wood that will keep the outdoor furnace stoked at Cherry Hill Farm. However, today I am interested in how attractive the woodpiles look after this morning's fresh snowfall. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 26mm

I enjoy looking at the Norwalk Lutheran Church every time I pass by it on US31 between Manistee and Bear Lake, Michigan. Today a fresh coat of snow on the steeple and roof has decorated the classic country church for Christmas. F9 at 1/400, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 165mm