Oakland County 4-H’’er Thomas Middleton was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives from 1991 to 1998 where he chaired and vice chaired House Appropriation sub-committees for Agriculture and Natural Resources, respectively. During his tenure he was an active member of the Governor’s task force for Build Michigan II and elected assistant majority floor leader. Since 2002, he has been the Oakland County District 4 Commissioner and is their Personnel Committee Chair and a member of the Public Service and Finance committees. He is also owner and operator of Key-Belle Farms and co-founded Middleton Strawberries, a 14-acre strawberry operation. An agriculture and natural resources communications MSU graduate, Middleton has served as an Oakland County 4-H leader and fair superintendant. He is a mentor with the Oakland County 4-H Youth Leadership Institute and was instrumental in organizing the program and enlisting the support of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Middleton is a member and former co-chair of the Oakland County MSU Extension Leadership Council, a member of the Clarkston Coalition for Youth and served eight years on the Oxford Board of Education. He is currently past president of the Michigan Association of Conservation District and is also a member of the National Association of Conservation District Great Lakes Committee. His other affiliations include the Clarkston Drug Awareness Program, Clarkston Area Optimist Club, Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, Michigan Association of PTAs, Michigan Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Michigan Professional Dairy Farmers, Michigan Corn Growers Association and the National Forage and Grassland Council. Middleton has been recognized by several organizations including the Michigan Jaycees, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and as an Oakland County Friend of 4-H.