Giving Michigan agriculture a voice
Throughout the year, Michigan Farm Bureau members and policy staff work to implement the grassroots policies established annually. Here are just a few of the many Farm Bureau successes:
Agriculture Funding
Farm Bureau supported a 2023-24 state budget that included:
- A 5% funding boost for MSU Extension and AgBioResearch,
- $25 million in grant funds for career and technical education programs,
- $13 million focused on promoting usage and implementation of new technology and regenerative farming practices,
- Nearly $2 million for food and agriculture supply chain investment to support accessibility of cold storage, distribution of processing facilities, and
- Continued funding for the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture, conservation districts, county fairs, and more.
Member Advocacy in Lansing and D.C.
More than 330 county Farm Bureau members participated in regional Lansing Legislative Seminar events where they spent time with state representatives and senators talking about issues important to Michigan farm families. Additionally, nearly 100 members spoke with members of Congress and D.C. decisionmakers as part of the organization’s Washington Legislative Seminar.
Local Relationships with Decisionmakers
2023 was a year of firsts with new legislative districts, new political dynamics, and many new elected officials at the local, state and federal level. County Farm Bureau members are nurturing relationships with these individuals to communicate challenges and opportunities facing the food and agriculture sector. We are proud of the numerous events, meetings and farm tours that have been held to share our story and implement member-developed policy.
Policy Development Participation
County Farm Bureaus submitted 680 recommendations this year through the policy development process, up significantly from last year’s 510 recommendations.
Influencing Dairy Program Reform
Following years of urging by Michigan Farm Bureau members and participation in the AFBF policy development process, USDA held a Federal Milk Marketing Order hearing in Carmel, Indiana where Van Buren County dairy farmer Tim Hood, Shiawassee County dairy farmer Brad Ritter and Branch County producer Brian Preston testified on behalf of the organization.
Specialty Crop Representation
Also a result of member participation in the AFBF policy development process, in 2023 farmers and agricultural leaders from across the country convened in Traverse City for AFBF’s Trade Advisory Committee. The visit included several tours at Farm Bureau member farms as well as a meeting where growers shared trade concerns and challenges specific to specialty crops.
Academy for Political Leadership
The fourth class of the Academy for Political Leadership graduated with seven county Farm Bureau participants learning about what it takes to run for public office and how to support candidates as campaign staff or volunteers.
Water Use and Quality
Farm Bureau continuously advocates on behalf of farmers to ensure state and federal initiatives seek to use science-based practices and quality data to conserve and improve our water resources in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Saginaw Bay Watershed, and beyond.
Conservation Programs
Farm Bureau has a strong presence in a variety of voluntary initiatives throughout the state to provide famers with opportunities to further the conservation goals on their farm to protect water quality. We are actively representing members and providing resources on the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program, the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program, farmer-led watershed groups, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Programs, and more.
Opposing an Overreaching Large Livestock Permit
Farm Bureau and many partnering stakeholders continue to combat government overreach through a legal challenge of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s permit for large livestock operations.
Farm Feed Texting Program
In 2023, more than 3,400 members and supporters sent nearly 21,000 messages to elected officials and regulatory decisionmakers or signed a petition to share the organization’s position on important agriculture issues.