Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Burgett
Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My father was a dairy farmer and I grew up on the same land that has been in our family for almost 120 years. When I graduated high school I had no interest in farming and went off to The Ohio State University. Upon completing my freshman year I realized I could not afford school and did not want to be saddled with high student loans. I joined the Ohio Army National Guard in 1991 to help pay my way through college. I met my wife at Ohio State and she was heavily involved in horses, showing dressage, eventing, and hunter/jumpers. I began to miss rural life in Northeast Ohio and we began plans to purchase 12.5 acres from my parents with the goal of building a horse farm. I graduated and have been working in community corrections for over 29 years at the county and state level. After 10 years, as an enlisted Soldier in the Army National Guard, I attended OCS and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, 2 days before September 11, 2001. Since, that time I have deployed to overseas combat zones five times. I just finished my fifth deployment to the Middle East in March 2024 as the Brigade Commander for the 371 Sustainment Brigade.
After my 3rd deployment in 2014, we saved enough money to make the move home to the farm and build a house and horse barn. Over the last 10 years we have built our farm to 98 acres. We produce free range eggs, pasture raised poultry (chickens and Thanksgiving turkeys), freezer beef, garden produce, and horse quality hay. We market and sell all of our products through word of mouth and social media (facebook, Instagram, tik tok). My wife, Cindy is the driving force on the farm and when I am away for days, weeks, and months at a time serving she continues to run the farm on her own with some help from family and friends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Farming is never a smooth road. I believe Soldiers have many of the same attributes as farmers (enjoy working in the outdoors, enjoy challenges, manage risk on a daily basis, and believe in being part of something larger than ourselves). Our biggest struggle is not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything we would like to on the farm. Weather is always challenging. Northeast Ohio is challenged by lake effect snow and cold weather in the winter and hot/humid summers. As a farmer, you become very familiar with the weather forecast and try to be a better predictor of the weather than the local meteorologist. A chance rainstorm can virtually ruin hay that was cut at the wrong time and a significant loss of income.
As you know, we’re big fans of Contraban Farms Ltd. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The land that Contraban Farms currently occupies has been in the Burgett family for well over 100 years. For most of that time the farm was a small dairy farm run by my father, Harold. We are extremely proud of our connection to the land and the history the Burgett family has in Harpersfield Township.
At Contraban Farms, our mission is to humanely produce the highest quality eggs, poultry, beef, and horse quality hay in the most environmentally and economically sustainable manner possible. We strive to make efficient use of inputs, maintain excellent land stewardship and leave our land and our community in better condition than we found them. Building on our strong reputation for customer service and work ethic, we have continued to grow our business to ensure long-term success.
I am a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). In 2019, I was awarded a $3,000 fellowship to purchase 4 brood beef cows. Since that time our cows have given us 5 sets of calves allowing us grow our herd and sell quality beef. Contraban Farms is proud to be a Homegrown by Heroes (HBH) certified farm through FVC. HBH is the official farmer veteran branding program of America. Our eggs, broilers, turkey and hay are HBH certified products.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support us through liking and following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and TIKTOK. More importantly, they can support all small local farmers in their area.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraban/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contrabanfarms/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_hxoMjGpH3AT8LWg0eEdpg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@contrabanfarms
