Michael Cotter was born on a farm during the Great Depression and grew up during World War II, and graduated from a Catholic High School - all of which led to a strong work ethic and a thriftiness. As the youngest of eight with aging parents, he was forced to take over the management of the farm at an early age. He helped the farm triple in size and evolve from draft horses to modern powered equipment.

Michael was introduced to storytelling at age fifty, and it became a powerful force in his life. Since that time he has appeared on college campuses, high school graduations, hospitals, churches, the Smithsonian Institute, theatres, festivals, including the national Storytelling Festival, agricultural seminars, conventions, and on radio, television and video productions. His stories have connected him with the terminally ill and he's shared the stage with college presidents and attorney generals. He has produced six CD's of his stories and is the co-author of three books, "Memories," "A Storyteller is a Soybean," and "Growing Up on a Minnesota Farm."