During its annual Winter Potato Conference, the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) recognized the work and dedication of Morgan Composting and Rob Schafer of Mid-Michigan Agronomy.
On Jan. 28 at the Grand Rapids Sheraton Airport Hotel in Grand Rapids, Morgan Composting was presented with MPIC’s Outstanding Industry Partner Award, while Rob Schafer was honored with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
The Outstanding Industry Partner Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional partnership, innovation, and commitment to the long-term success of Michigan agriculture. For 2025, MPIC honored Morgan Composting for its deep investment in soil health, agricultural sustainability, and industry leadership.
Led by President and CEO Brad Morgan, Morgan Composting has grown from a family-run dairy farm operation into a nationally recognized leader in composting and soil health solutions. Brad Morgan and his father, Dale Morgan, founded the business in 1996 after turning a manure management challenge on their dairy farm into an opportunity. That innovation ultimately became the company’s Dairy Doo compost brand, which focuses on improving soil health, recovering valuable resources, and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Beyond its business operations, Morgan Composting has invested in the broader agricultural community through initiatives such as the MI Ag CORE Leadership Program, where the company provides financial support and encourages employee participation to develop the next generation of agricultural leaders. The company has also supported research infrastructure at Michigan State University, helping maintain research fields that advance potato production practices and sustainability for growers.
MPIC also honored Rob Schafer with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, recognizing more than two decades of service, research, and agronomic leadership supporting potato growers.
A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in crop and soil science, Schafer spent 18 years working in the university’s potato and sugar beet pathology laboratory, where he built extensive expertise in plant disease management, pest risk assessment, and applied research.
In 2005, Schafer began consulting directly with potato growers, marking the beginning of Mid-Michigan Agronomy’s formal engagement in potato production consulting. Today, the company advises growers managing more than 23,000 acres of potatoes across Michigan and several other states, helping producers optimize nutrient management, pest scouting, and field-level decision-making.
Schafer has also led research trial programs — including nutrient, variety, and disease trials at sites such as the Marshall Research Farm — that provide growers with practical, data-driven insights for improving production practices. His responsiveness and technical expertise have earned him widespread respect among growers and industry partners.
“These awards recognize individuals and organizations whose work strengthens Michigan’s potato industry for the long term,” said current MPIC Chair Ryan Pelletier during the presentation. “Both Morgan Composting and Rob Schafer exemplify the leadership, innovation, and partnership that help Michigan agriculture thrive.”
MPIC’s Winter Potato Conference will return to the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel in 2027. It’s scheduled for Feb. 2-4, 2027. A full agenda and registration information will be available this fall.