Green Meadow Farms

02/05/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the obituary for Velmar, the patriarch of our family and the heart of this farm. He lived a long, full life rooted in hard work, faith in the land, and deep love for his family. The lessons he taught and the example he set will continue to guide us every day as we care for this farm and carry his legacy forward. We are deeply grateful for the support, prayers, and kindness shown to our family and our farm during this time.

C. Velmar Green, age 88, of Elsie, Michigan passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his daughter, Margery and her husband Mark VanAtta, and son Craig Green and his wife Darcy. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kelvin, Justin (Erin), and Corbie, and brother-in-law Brad Henderson. He is predeceased by his wife Margaret and their infant daughter Jennifer, his parents Merle and Hope Green, his brother and sister-in-law M. Duane and Grace Green, his son-in-law Wayne Webster, and his sister-in-law Margery Henderson.
Velmar was raised on his family farm in Elsie, graduating as Valedictorian from Elsie High School in 1955, before attending Michigan State where he graduated from the honors collage Suma-Cum-Laude, in 1959. During his youth he worked on the farm and also rode the railcars, showing Green Meadow Farms’ Holsteins at some of the most prestigious shows across the country. After graduating college he and his brother Duane came back to the farm to work side by side with their father Merle. He married Margaret Ann Gill February 24 1968, after knowing each other from early childhood, and was blessed with 55 years of marriage.
Velmar’s passion for agriculture continued as he assumed increasing responsibility within industry, trade, and government appointments. He served on the Michigan Milk Producers Association board for 42 years, as chairman of the Michigan Commission on Agriculture & Rural Development, and was inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of fame. He was also recognized as Dairyman of the year at the World Dairy Expo in 2013.
Velmar traveled extensively during his tenure on the boards of National Beef, MMPA, and National Milk Producers Federation. His passion for seeing and learning about the world continued later in life as he and Margaret developed a passion for cruising, a hobby they shared with their grandson Justin and great nephew Ben. His love of showing and judging cows continued throughout his life and his grandson Kelvin and granddaughter Corbie are continuing that legacy today.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Carol Kusnier officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 2-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elsie Lions Club, 9294 East French Road, Elsie, MI 48831 or the Michigan Junior Holstein Association at 4825 Lincoln Lake Ave. Lowell, MI 49331.

01/25/2026

Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
'Cause today, I swear, I'm not doing anything, -Bruno Mars.

And why would they, they have us humans at their beck and call.

12/26/2025

A little behind, but we had a fun Summer show with 20 head altogether. We only took two heifers to Louisville and they did well! Very happy with the pictures they took and we are exited for their future(Results in pictures).
Finally 10738 said we can’t finish this post without saying Merry Christmas. We cant wait to see what is in store for 2026!

06/10/2025

This is Green-Meadow Hangtime Genie. Her birthday is September 17 and this year she will be 7! She is currently producing 121 lbs of milk a day. When she is not relaxing she like to be naughty by pulling chains and shutting gates. 😁

05/06/2025

We had a great day at spring show. Thank you to everyone on our crew for making it happen, also a huge thank you to the guys at the farm for holding down the fort to make all of this possible. Last but not least, Velmar was honored by the Michigan Holstein Association by being named the 2025 Distinguished Person of the year!

07/29/2024

It is soooo humid outside, but these girls are just hanging out chewing their cud. It felt so good in the barn under the fans that I wish I had taken my computer out there and plopped down next to them.

05/27/2024

05/08/2024

You may have noticed some new signs around driveways at the farm as you drive by, so we wanted to update you all on what is going on. As you may have heard, the HPAI avian bird flu that started in Texas has made its way to Michigan (as well as other states) and has been found in certain dairy cattle. As of right now, we have NOT had any cows affected.

In order to protect dairy herds and poultry flocks, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a statewide mandate, that begins today, for all dairy herds to become biosecure. This mandate includes putting up the signage that we have as well as disinfecting all outside vehicles every time one comes on the farm. This mandate is in effect until further notice. We hope this will be short so we can get those signs taken down! We will miss you all as visitors as we go through this.

04/22/2024

We had a great spring show! Many thanks to everyone involved.
1. Green-Meadow Thunderstorm Redi
2nd Sr. 2
2. Green-Meadow Hancock 14967
3rd Sr. 2
3. Green-Meadow Ted 11714
1st Sr. 3
Intermediate Champion
Honorable Mention Grand Champion
4. Green-Meadow Delta 92699
2nd 4 year old
Reserve Sr. Champion
Reserve Grand Champion
5. Green-Meadow D-Rock Ceres
1st Aged cow
Honorable Mention Sr. Champion
6. Green-Meadow Premium Delta
1st Production cow
@ 7 years 8 months 6 lactations
171,140 lbs
Fresh 3 weeks

08/14/2023

With great sadness we post of the loss of Aunt Grace. Please keep Charlie, Karen and their families in your prayers

Grace Anne Green, age 93, of Elsie, passed away Sunday, August 13th, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to all.
Grace was born May 15, 1930, to Eugene and Anna (Mangelman) Ensign. She grew up on a small farm in Bannister, Michigan, and the youngest of 5 children. Grace graduated from Elsie High School in 1948, and attended Central Michigan University for two years to become a teacher. On November 19, 1950, Grace married Duane Green of Elsie at the Bannister United Methodist Church. She taught in a one-room school for a year before settling into family life raising 3 children on the family farm in Elsie.
Grace was a member of the Elsie United Methodist Church and was active in the local United Methodist Women and Literary Club. Grace loved cows. She traveled with Duane to National Holstein Conventions and a show, collected cows and dairy antiques from all over the country, was an avid dairy promoter, and loved waving to folks from her cow car in the Elsie Dairy Festival parade. Grace was kind, generous, and always ready for fun. Grace cherished her friends deeply, and loved them well. Grace made it her mission to deliver countless Upper Room devotionals, and made sure everyone around her had a FROG, reminding them to Forever Rely on God.
Many dear friends have been blessed by a card from Grace covered in cow stamps or through regular phone calls to check in and say hello. No one felt Grace’s love more than her family. She never missed a chance to cheer on her kids and grandkids. Grace could be found on the sidelines or in the audience of every sporting event, performance, or animal show. She loved having her grandkids over to play cards, swim in the pool, eat treats, or to steal them away for special trips. She loved family holiday celebrations, decorating her home inside and out, especially for Christmas. Grace enjoyed vacationing and sightseeing with her family, sharing with them her favorite places, always picking up rocks, and taking pictures of beautiful flowers along the way. In later years, Grace and Duane spent winters on Marco Island, forming friendships on the beach, collecting sand dollars, and watching sunsets over the water.
Grace is survived by her son Charlie (Susie) Green of Elsie, MI; daughter Karen Batora of Elsie, MI; grandchildren: Emily (Mike) Klingbeil of Elsie, MI; William (Maureen Nagy) Green of Grand Ledge, MI; Sadie Green of Lansing, MI; Michael (Kourtney) Batora of Elsie, MI; Kristine (Ben) Hoch of Elsie, MI; and Leah Batora of Chicago, IL;. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Velmar Green, and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Duane, her son Bryon Green, and three sisters: Mary Zimmerman, Marjorie Glowney, and Lillian Terrell; one brother Albert “Corky” Ensign, and sister-in-law Margaret Green.
Funeral Services will be held at the Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 18, 2023, with Pastor Ava Euper officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie Baby Pantry, or the Elsie Public Library. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.

07/11/2023

Happy Cow Appreciation Day! We would be nothing without our girls.

04/17/2023

We lost a very big part of our heart this morning. We are finding peace in the fact she is now pain free. We love you Margaret. Until we meet again. ♥️

Margaret Ann Green (nee Gill), age 83, of Elsie, Michigan passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 17, 2023, surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her husband Velmar Green, daughter, Margery and her husband Mark VanAtta, and son Craig Green and his wife Darcy. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kelvin, Justin, and Corbie, sister-in-law, Grace Green, brother-in-law, Brad Henderson.
Margaret was raised on her family farm in Chapin, graduating from Chesaning High School in 1958 and Michigan State University in 1963. She was an elementary teacher until she married her husband of fifty-five years, Velmar. Margaret was the matriarch of Green Meadow Farms for many years. She loved driving tractor, tilling the soil, and driving truck during harvest. For many years you could find her dog, Whiskey, by her side. Most of all she liked working along-side the other employees. Margaret was an avid gardener and took great pride in her flowers and lawn. For many years she mowed the farm lawns and enjoyed waving as neighbors went by on Hollister Road. During Christmastime, you could see her house from miles away as she would decorate the yard in Christmas lights.
She was a ground breaker in regards to it being acceptable for women being involved in farming and was an original member of Ford Tractor Women’s Council. Margaret and Velmar were inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame in 2017. Margaret had many interests during her life and played piano for many years at the Elsie United Methodist Church until arthritis made it impossible for her to continue.
In spite of her mobility issues she traveled extensively with Velmar to his numerous dairy meetings, and later they developed a hobby of cruising, traveling, and seeing the world. During her later years they greatly appreciated traveling with their grandson Justin and their great nephew Ben. She also enjoyed winters in Marco Island, Florida, walking the beach when she could, picking up shells. The last few years she rode her mobility scooter around her condo complex spraying weeds and talking with residents. First and foremost she was a farm wife raising her family, being a great cook, and always welcoming Margery's and Craig’s friends to be a part of the family. She was a true farmer through the end of her life as she tilled the soil at age 83 last fall for this year’s crop planting. She greatly appreciated Dr. Huff’s care and compassion shown throughout the years. His care over the last twenty years allowed her to continue to lead a full and productive life despite her mobility issues. The family also greatly appreciated the care Margaret received in her final days by HomeJoy and Memorial Healthcare Hospice.
She is predeceased by her parents, Charles Sayre Gill and Freda Belle Bates Gill, one sister Margery Mae Henderson, infant daughter Jennifer, and son-in-law Wayne Webster, brother-in-law, Duane Green.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Carol Kusnier officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shiawassee Humane Society, 2752 West Bennington Road Owosso, MI 48867; Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 West Grand River Road, Lansing, MI 48906; or the Elsie Lions Club, 9294 East French Road, Elsie, MI 48831. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.