June 2026 Member Highlight – Michael Rogers
Written by Kate Bosley
Roger is able to look back and remember his time as a young helper on his family farm, back in 1974 when he was 5 years old.
He fondly remembers “haying in the field – probably falling off the wagon and pushing bales around thinking that I am helping, probably in reality I was more in the way,” he says while laughing.
Flash forward, Michael has now been farming the last 4 decades, along with serving in two branches of the military.
Michael says that “farming found him,” as having grown up on a small farm. They began with a dairy farm, but sold the herd in 2001 and they have since changed producing feed for horses and beef. Michael is able to look back and recall trying times in the agricultural world, reflecting back on the 90’s.
“We went from thriving to a downward spiral, the early 1990s was challenging for many reasons, pretty much diversifying and trying new approaches to stay in business.”
One of the ways they diversified was with a small gravel pit.
“I was reading the Burlington Free Press one morning with my coffee that Verizon Wireless was doing coverage on 91 from North to South,” Michael continues on to say. “I contacted them the following week and had engineers in my driveway 45 days later, they said I had one of the best sites. We decided to do a Mono Pine because of the Pines in that background … so it would blend in nice.”
Today, Hill Crest Farms has 3 different carriers on this Mono Pine with a 50 year lease, helping the farm stay in the family and in operation.
Roger’s reflects on how difficult it has been for Vermont farmers.
“My biggest fear is that Vermont Farmers won’t be able to survive through financial turmoil.”
He calls for action saying, “we as Vermonters should make it easier to get some permits to help with all aspects of farming.”
He continues jokingly saying that “for twenty-five years that for every new law that we make, we wipe two off the books.”
He does acknowledge that their creativity and flexibility with technology has been a great avenue. Hinting at agri-tourism/outdoor exercise ideas and the cell towers.
When asked what farming has taught him, Michael says “Farming has forged me like fire, beaten the hell out of me for free.”
He recognizes that alongside farming, his military days have also left him with scars.
As a realist he says, “think long and hard before you step into this arena,” recognizing and acknowledging how difficult the
agricultural industry can be on mind, body, and soul.
The Hill Crest Farm is also insured with Nationwide, with Roy Folsom as their agent. Michael says they have been insured with Nationwide since 2009-2010. He feels comfortable and confident with his insurers as their rates align with his research throughout the insurance market, and they have advised him on what would be best for the coverage on his farm.
Lastly, when asked why he values Vermont Farm Bureau, he says
“The Farm Bureau is a voice for Vermont Farmers and Vermonters. It’s also a collective for buying power, offering certain benefits for farmers at a discount. The Farm Bureau also are lobbyists that track state legislature to make sure they do not go off the deep end.”
He chuckles saying “this sounds like I am running for office!”