The Board of Directors is a locally elected board that helps guide and support the goals and direction of the conservation district. It is composed of five Antrim County residents, and the staff and board meet once a month with the public welcome. These meetings take place the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00pm, and are located at the Antrim Conservation District office (4820 Stover Rd., Bellaire).
Meet our Board of Directors:
Bryan Smith, Chairperson
Finance, Personnel, & Policy Committee
Bryan Smith hails from the Bellaire area, born and raised here and a third generation Bellaire Eagles student. After college he worked as a banker in Lansing for about ten years until he moved into the real estate field for 30+ years. As a retiree, his hobby as a horseman led to his current horse boarding business where he and his best friend and partner Shelley care for horses boarded by their owners from around the county. Bryan has one daughter in North Carolina and two grandchildren.
Bryan served as an Antrim County commissioner for two terms and as the liaison to the Antrim Conservation District during his tenure. His strong interest in nature and conservation led him to become the ACD Board Chairman. Bryan’s sense of compassion and concern for people and our environment has given the boards that he serves on valuable insight and experience that helps the communities he serves continue to move forward in growth and success.
Bryan served as an Antrim County commissioner for two terms and as the liaison to the Antrim Conservation District during his tenure. His strong interest in nature and conservation led him to become the ACD Board Chairman. Bryan’s sense of compassion and concern for people and our environment has given the boards that he serves on valuable insight and experience that helps the communities he serves continue to move forward in growth and success.
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Caitlin McSweeny-Steffes, Treasurer
Finance, Personnel, & Policy Committee
Caitlin McSweeney-Steffes and her family, including her husband and three boys are new residents to Antrim County, moving to a farm and beginning to set down roots in Mancelona in 2017. She has always had a love for the outdoors and for Northern Michigan. Caitlin moved from her home town of Hanover, MI to Marquette, MI where she attended Northern Michigan University, graduating with degrees in Hospitality Management, General Business and Marketing. She also took part in yearly trail clean up days helping to remove garbage, tires and other items dumped in the woods in the Marquette area.
Not wanting to leave northern Michigan she then moved to Traverse City where she worked in the hospitality industry. Caitlin and her husband harbored a dream of getting back to farming and a more sustainable way of living and working with the land, foraging, using permaculture and nature. In 2017 they purchased their farm Danu Hof and currently raise heritage breed chickens, pigs, have a small vegetable garden and forage on their land. They participate in many local farmers markets and also have a store on property helping to promote not only there farm but other local farms as well. Working to be a piece of the puzzle that helps to rebuild the local food system and reconnect farmers with the local community. Caitlin is also the market manager for the Bellaire winter farmers market.
Caitlin hopes to continue to get to know the area and community and serve it. She has enjoyed getting to know and working with the Antrim Conservation District and all that they do. She would also like to strengthen the communication and relationship between the conservation district and farmers in the area.
Not wanting to leave northern Michigan she then moved to Traverse City where she worked in the hospitality industry. Caitlin and her husband harbored a dream of getting back to farming and a more sustainable way of living and working with the land, foraging, using permaculture and nature. In 2017 they purchased their farm Danu Hof and currently raise heritage breed chickens, pigs, have a small vegetable garden and forage on their land. They participate in many local farmers markets and also have a store on property helping to promote not only there farm but other local farms as well. Working to be a piece of the puzzle that helps to rebuild the local food system and reconnect farmers with the local community. Caitlin is also the market manager for the Bellaire winter farmers market.
Caitlin hopes to continue to get to know the area and community and serve it. She has enjoyed getting to know and working with the Antrim Conservation District and all that they do. She would also like to strengthen the communication and relationship between the conservation district and farmers in the area.
Zach Gosnell, Vice-Chairperson
Building & Property Committee
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Zach is a Bellaire resident and has worked in the past for the ACD as the trail coordinator. He enjoyed that temporary job and decided to join the ACD board in the spring of 2020. As a board member, he is committed to helping the environment and believes strongly in the importance of taking care of our land and water. He has a passion for the ACD Health Lakes Landscaping program and wants to work to help keep the water quality strong in Antrim county so the wildlife life, and consequently our area economy, doesn’t suffer.
Currently, Zach owns Torch Lake Concepts, designing unique and beautiful wood furniture using wood he’s harvested himself, right here in Antrim county. His education includes working toward an environmental science degree with the Southern New Hampshire University. In the past he managed a non-profit wildlife program, helping to care for animals and their habitats while educating people on the program. An avid outdoorsman, Zach loves hiking, looking and learning about nature and trees. His favorite tree is the walnut tree because it’s so pretty on the inside, and he also likes the American chestnut tree, a rare beauty in Antrim county. When he’s not working, you’ll find him outside fishing, mountain biking, and spending time with his best buddy, Clyde, a Bernese Mountain/Australian Shepherd mix. They go everywhere together. |
Adrienne Wolff, Director
Education & Outreach Committee
Education & Outreach Committee
Adrienne Wolff was appointed to fill a board vacancy in 2022. As a small farmer, her experience brings insight and innovation to the ACD board. Like other board members, Adrienne wants to serve and being on the board helps involve her more in the community. She recognizes that many of the services and benefits the ACD offers to Antrim County tie into her lifestyle, vision, and goals.
Born in Royal Oak, Adrienne and her husband Doug moved to Central Lake in 2017. They have three cats, two dogs, and a growing farm business called, Buckwheat’s Market Garden. Adrienne states that they love living up north as they feel better connected to nature and the environment compared to the city life in which she was raised.
Adrienne holds a fine arts degree from Western Michigan that gives her insight and creativity in her career. She’s certified from MSU in Organic Farming and has brought these practices into her business and into the community though long-time participation in summer and winter farm markets in the county.
Her positive energy, zest for life, and eagerness to try new things helps the ACD with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm that helps drive the ACD conservation mission. Adrienne values decreasing the carbon footprints we leave and believes that the efforts we make in our own homes, like recycling, composting, and of course growing our own foods, can make a big impact in our communities. While Adrienne is an avid vegetable farmer, she says her favorite things to grow are flowers, especially cosmos! Nature is art at its finest.
Born in Royal Oak, Adrienne and her husband Doug moved to Central Lake in 2017. They have three cats, two dogs, and a growing farm business called, Buckwheat’s Market Garden. Adrienne states that they love living up north as they feel better connected to nature and the environment compared to the city life in which she was raised.
Adrienne holds a fine arts degree from Western Michigan that gives her insight and creativity in her career. She’s certified from MSU in Organic Farming and has brought these practices into her business and into the community though long-time participation in summer and winter farm markets in the county.
Her positive energy, zest for life, and eagerness to try new things helps the ACD with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm that helps drive the ACD conservation mission. Adrienne values decreasing the carbon footprints we leave and believes that the efforts we make in our own homes, like recycling, composting, and of course growing our own foods, can make a big impact in our communities. While Adrienne is an avid vegetable farmer, she says her favorite things to grow are flowers, especially cosmos! Nature is art at its finest.