Meet Tom and Deb Schoenborn, private forest landowners in Sterling, Michigan. Living in the area for over 40 years, the couple emerged from their basement in September 2019 to the aftermath of a devastating tornado that raged within 100 feet of their home. Deb and Tom's story of disaster and recovery is featured in USDA's Farmer.gov blog.

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Farm Service Agency
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Restoring Michigan Forestland in Tornado Aftermath

Meet Tom and Deb Schoenborn, private forest landowners in Sterling, Michigan. Living in the area for over 40 years, the couple emerged from their basement in September 2019 to the aftermath of a devastating tornado that raged within 100 feet of their home.

Two people smiling while facing cameraDeb and Tom Schoenborn are private forest owners in Sterling, Michigan. Photo by Savannah Halleaux, FSA

“That was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced,” said Deb. “We were very lucky.”

Deb and Tom's story of disaster and recovery is featured in USDA's Farmer.gov blog. To read their full story, go to Fridays on the Farm: Restoring Michigan Forestland in the Aftermath. 

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Farm Service Agency
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE