Candidate Bios

 Heidi Shaffer is an experienced environmental professional with more than three decades of service in natural resource management, agricultural technology, soil erosion control, and water-quality protection. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Michigan State University and has completed extensive additional coursework in natural resources and agriculture at several Michigan institutions. 

Her career includes work with Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, where she served as an engineering technician and natural resource manager with an emphasis on erosion control, conservation practices, and protecting water quality. Heidi also served for 22 years as the Soil Erosion Control Officer for Antrim County, working closely with property owners, contractors, local zoning officials, state regulators, and local and regional environmental organizations to promote responsible land use and natural resource protection. 

Most recently, Heidi worked with the Antrim Conservation District, administering the soil erosion control program, supporting district programs, and helping write and administer grants related to natural resource protection and water-quality education. Her work has given her a deep understanding of the important role Conservation Districts play in serving farmers, property owners, local governments, lake associations, environmental groups, and residents. 

Heidi values the Conservation District’s long-standing mission of helping communities implement practical conservation practices that protect soil, water, and other natural resources. She believes strong partnerships are essential to preserving the natural environment and supporting the people who live and work in Antrim County. 

With her experience, knowledge of local conservation issues, and commitment to respectful collaboration, Heidi would bring dedicated service and a strong conservation ethic to the Antrim Conservation District Board. 

 Kelly Doyle is a first-generation organic vegetable farmer, conservation advocate, and resident of Antrim County since 2014. Many know her as the co-owner of Daybreak Dreamfarm, a year-round vegetable and mushroom farm that nourishes her community through its CSA program, the Bellaire Farmers Market, and wholesale partnerships with local co-ops and area farm markets. Deeply inspired by working with “living green things”, Kelly is dedicated to strengthening the connections between agriculture, conservation, community, and the local economy. 

A Michigan native, Kelly earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2008. Soon after graduating, she redirected her curiosity of the human mind toward the outdoor world, pursuing hands-on experiences in land stewardship and sustainable agriculture. Her journey took her from volunteering on farms in Spain to building hiking trails with the Maine Conservation Corps and leading AmeriCorps conservation crews in remote western wilderness areas. These experiences deepened her appreciation for healthy ecosystems, simple living, and human-nature connectedness, while reinforcing her commitment to caring for the land.

 Drawn home by Northern Michigan’s natural beauty, Kelly eventually put down roots in Antrim County to build a small farm and a life centered on stewardship and community-building. Through her work in agriculture, she has seen firsthand the importance of protecting soil, water, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources that sustain both people and ecosystems. 

Kelly has spent one year serving on the ACD board and is committed to continuing her service to the community and contributing to the organization’s mission. She believes conservation succeeds when communities are engaged, informed, and empowered, and is excited to continue to learn and grow in her advocacy for a healthy planet that supports all living beings. She is passionate about people and place, and practical stewardship guides both her work on the farm and her service to the community. 

When she’s not tending crops or advocating for local food systems, Kelly enjoys practicing yoga, writing, reading, crafting, identifying birds by their song, and snuggling up with her two dogs and two cats. 

 Patricia Wiltse "Patty" brings a lifetime of service, knowledge, and dedication to the Antrim County. As a nurse with over 40 years of experience, Patty has devoted her career to helping others and working collaboratively to solve problems and improve lives. She worked in many different aspects of nursing, including Infection Control, Nurse Educator, Charge Nurse, Shift Supervisor, Health and Wellness Nurse, and Director of Nursing. She has her Masters of Nursing and went on to take many classes in statistics and research, and currently is taking courses in conversation. 

The Wiltse family came to Antrim County in the 1800s and have maintained that farm since. Patty was raised on the family farm, developing a deep appreciation for agriculture, the outdoors, and the importance of responsible stewardship of our natural resources. She is an avid hunter, fisherwoman, gardener, and outdoor enthusiast with a strong understanding of plants, wildlife, and local ecosystems. Patty is a lifetime member of the Michigan Bear Hunter Association, where wildlife conservation and habitat protection are some of the core elements. 

Patty enjoys learning, sharing knowledge, and working with people from all backgrounds. She believes in practical conservation efforts that support the environment and the residents of Antrim County. Patty believes strongly in stewardship of resources, included environmental and financial. Her experience, dedication, and passion for the outdoors would make her a valuable member of the Antrim Conservation District Board of Directors. 

 Adrienne Wolff is a farmer, conservation steward, service worker and resident of Antrim County since 2016. She is co-owner and operator of Buckwheat’s Market Garden, an organic cut flower and vegetable farm providing for the community through the Bellaire Farmers Market, wholesale, and local food cooperatives. Dedicated to growing food sustainably while actively improving the ecological and biological diversity of northern Michigan, Adrienne is also committed to nourishing the connection between her community and environment we collectively call home. 

Along with lifelong experience as a horticulturist, Adrienne’s deeper love for agriculture came from volunteering through Heifer International in 2015, working as a child educator and livestock assistant at Heifer’s educational ranch in Arkansas. The transformation within herself and her students when connecting with the landscape sparked a life-changing pivot to enroll as an eternal student of Mother Nature. Adrienne completed the Organic Farmer Training Program through Michigan State University, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from Western Michigan University. 

In addition to serving as Board Chair of the ACD, Adrienne also represents the lower northwest region of Michigan as Vice Chair of Region 3 for the Michigan Association of Conservation District’s State Council. During quarterly MACD State Council meetings, Adrienne connects with organizations like the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service to advocate for resource and funding opportunities available for the ACD and local private landowners. Adrienne has spent four years serving as a board member for the ACD. Understanding the wide scope of what conservation districts can provide for the community is knowledge that cannot be absorbed overnight. Adrienne is committed to the continuation of learning the best ways to connect her community to the wisdom of the natural world and the resources to collectively steward it. 

When she’s not in the growing field or focused on promoting the mission of the ACD, Adrienne enjoys crafting, reading, fishing with her husband, learning about natural dyes and pigments, and keeping up with her one year-old daughter. 

 Serving as an Antrim Conservation District board director since 2023, Kathleen Peterson, has continued ACD’s mission of focusing on environmental conservation practices to promote good stewardship of our beautiful region. She believes in giving back to her community and has decades of experience serving on many boards presently:, Elk Rapids History Museum, Antrim County Economic Development Corporation, Green ER, past: Elk Rapids Park & Rec, , Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall Association (HERTHA), ER Chamber of Commerce. 

She worked at YMCA camp Hayo-Went-Ha on Torch Lake for 9 years supporting the camp’s mission to provide youth a chance to experience nature & learn to protect it. Witnessing the growth of kids when exposed to the outdoors was impactful & made her more determined to protect the environment for generations to come. 

Kathy also understands the need to balance conservation with the needs of our community. She promotes conservation not only at the local level, but also at the state and federal levels. She feels lucky to be living in an area so rich in natural resources and takes her responsibility to protect those resources seriously. 

Kathy and her husband John have lived in Antrim County since 2000 and have 3 adult married children and 7 grandchildren. They enjoy being involved and giving back to their community! Kathy is a strong advocate for recycling, always preaching Reuse, Repurpose, or Recycle…Remember flatten the boxes!! 

 Bryan Smith's family have been residents of Antrim County since 1883; Bryan is one of five generations to have graduated from Bellaire High School. This longevity of being an Antrim County resident is reflected in his dedication and loving commitment to our area and community. He has served on the Bellaire School Board, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners, and is a currently serving his 7th year as a member of the Antrim Conservation District Board. 

Bryan feels it is essential we protect our lakes, rivers and streams, our clean air and our forests and wildlife habitat through involvement, common sense and an engaged and informed public. He is dedicated to continuing to preserve the natural resources of Antrim County for the enjoyment of many generations to come. A vote for Bryan Smith is a vote for commitment and common sense.