The Herbrucks receive 2021 CANR Distinguished Service Award
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EmailStephen Herbruck, Greg Herbruck and Harry “Herb” Herbruck, of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, will receive the 2021 CANR Distinguished Service Award during ANR Month.
Stephen Herbruck, Greg Herbruck and Harry “Herb” Herbruck, of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, in Saranac, Mich., will receive the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Distinguished Service Award at the March 12 ANR Awards Program.
The award honors individuals or partners who have made outstanding contributions to Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources industries, and who possess high standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the college.
Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch has been a leader in sustainability – putting its hens, employees and community first for over 60 years. The Herbruck brothers have made a profound impact on the agricultural industry and their communities through their industry leadership, innovation and charitable giving.
For nearly 50 years, Stephen Herbruck has been part of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, helping to grow the company to become Michigan’s largest egg producer, the 10th largest in the nation. He currently serves as CEO and chairman of the board, and previously as president from 1994-2016. He also provides his extensive leadership and industry knowledge as director of the Midwest Foods Association, director of United Egg Producers, director of the American Egg Board and chairman of Eggland’s Best, Inc. and Eggland’s Best LLC. He also is a member of the Consumer Marketing Committee, a former member of the Ionia County Economic Alliance and former director of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries. Stephen earned an associate’s degree from Western Michigan University in grain elevator management.
As president of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Greg Herbruck leads the family business – where he oversees all top leadership and divisions, including a team of 900 employees and nine million hens. He is responsible for financing, product marketing, human resources, client sales and distribution. He is involved in the United Egg Producers and the Midwest Food Association. He is a previous member of the American Egg Board and former president of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries. Greg is a 1979 MSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in poultry science.
Harry "Herb" Herbruck, who serves as director and executive vice president of operations, has designed several innovations in hen-living systems and is the strategist behind the holistic integration of raising pullets, egg production, egg grading and distribution. He also designs and oversees construction and expansion projects. He regularly works with local municipalities to improve community infrastructure, including road projects and a sewer line initiative that brought city sewer to dozens of rural neighbors. Herb also previously served as vice president of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, and is the former chair of the Michigan Employers Association.
Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch has been a leader in environmental stewardship and in caring for its hens. The Herbruck brothers have implemented companywide innovations to protect water quality, conserve energy and reduce waste. Animal health and welfare is a top priority in everything they do, and they have set the bar high for others in the industry on cage-free environments, daily bird care and welfare, biosecurity and safety.
Herbruck’s also has a culture of charitable giving. The brothers set the standard for giving back to the communities they call home. This year alone, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch has donated about $170,000 to local organizations. Herbruck’s has also donated more than 1.6 million eggs in 2020 to food banks such as Feeding America.
Herbruck’s has led by example over three generations and will continue to be a leader for generations to come.
