Nick Totzke Farms – Stevensville, Michigan
Red Gold tomato growers since 2012, Nick Totzke Farms is a sixth-generation farm, owned and operated by Nick and Jann Totzke, with their three children actively involved in various aspects of the operation.
More than Business
Farming is more than a business for the Totzke family. Nick (and wife Jann), who has a passion for harvesting, personally picks every load. Their daughter, Janelle, who returned to the farm in 2013 after a corporate career, manages planting, spraying and harvesting schedules.
Proud Partnership
Since 2012, Nick Totzke Farms has partnered with Red Gold, a relationship they say feels like being part of the family. Red Gold’s commitment to the success of its growers is a big reason they proudly grow for the company. Their favorite Red Gold products are Salsa and Diced Italian Tomatoes. They love to share the surprising fact that these shelf-stable grocery items are grown locally and harvested in such a short window of time.
Deep Family Roots
The Totzke family’s farming roots trace back to the mid-to-late 1890’s, when their ancestors traveled to Southwest Michigan from Germany and began growing fruits, vegetables and grain. Today, that legacy continues not only in the fields but also in the community.
Janelle is a dedicated community leader, having served a three- year term on the Red Gold Grower Action Board, participated in a Washington D.C. advocacy trip, and currently sits on the Michigan Vegetable Council. She is also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Algonquin Chapter) and a lifetime member of the Berrien County Youth Fair, where she volunteers on several committees.
Janelle and nephew August in front of a John Deere tractor. This tractor was purchased in 1954 and is still in use on the farm today. It is the tractor that three generations learned to drive.