Workshops tackle climate change, energy, public perceptions of ag

Workshops tackle climate change, energy, public perceptions of ag

Workshops tackle climate change, energy, public perceptions of ag

Workshops tackle climate change, energy, public perceptions of ag

Workshops tackle climate change, energy, public perceptions of ag

Contact: Jill Corrin, (800) 292-2680, ext. 6585

LANSING, Nov. 20, 2008 - Workshops at Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) upcoming annual meeting set out to ensure that farmers have a seat at the table in ongoing discussions about climate change and energy, and an effective voice in public conversations on matters such as food safety and animal welfare.

Guest speakers will enlighten Farm Bureau members on these topics during two educational sessions at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting, which runs Dec. 2-5 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Climate and energy

The first session is devoted to climate change and energy production and consumption. It will be held Dec. 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s Pantlind Ballroom.

While MFB policy historically has supported several initiatives related to renewable energy and environmental protection, the organization currently does not have policy specific to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. That could change, however, because at this year’s annual meeting members will vote on a proposed policy that addresses climate change at the state level and supports, among other things, a practical, voluntary, market-based carbon credit trading system. Members will also consider a slightly revised national Farm Bureau policy which echoes much the same.

The purpose of the workshop is to help prepare MFB members for these policy discussions by providing a comprehensive review of what is known and what is on the horizon, said Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, MFB agricultural ecology specialist.

“In terms of state and federal government, the discussion is centered not on whether climate change is occurring, but rather what to do about it,” said Vollmer-Sanders. “So the intention here is to acknowledge that there is a movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and agriculture needs to have a voice in how this is accomplished.”

To set the stage, Michigan State University agricultural meteorologist Jeff Andresen will kick off the workshop by defining the terminology most often associated with climate change and summarizing Michigan’s weather trends over the last century.

Also presenting will be Jon Allan, director of Environmental and Laboratory Services for Consumers Energy. Allan will discuss how energy production and consumption factor into the climate change equation and how suggested measures to lessen greenhouse gases would affect energy prices.

In addition, Allan will update members on the activities and progress of two high-profile groups that he belongs to, the Michigan Climate Action Council and the advisory group of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

Created a year ago by an executive order of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan Climate Action Council has been charged with assessing the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the state presently and making recommendations on how to reduce those emissions in the future. The council is expected to deliver its report in December. The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord is an agreement between nine Midwestern states and two Canadian provinces to explore a regional program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Rounding out the guest presenters is Staci Bohlen, national issues specialist with the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Bohlen will share experiences from Minnesota, where the governor has already mandated an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and a state climate action council, of which Bohlen is a member, has been charged with determining how to achieve that standard.

“I think our members will benefit from hearing about the challenges facing Minnesota farmers, as that state is almost two years ahead of Michigan in regulating greenhouse gas emissions,” said Vollmer-Sanders. “I think our members will be surprised to learn that 14 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota are attributed to agriculture, as compared to 3 percent in Michigan, yet Minnesota’s massive expansion of ethanol pumps does not count toward emission reductions in that state.”

Speaking proactively and positively about agriculture

The second workshop, entitled “Speaking Proactively and Positively about Agriculture,” will tackle issues related to overcoming public misconceptions about modern agriculture. It takes place Dec. 3 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in Grand Galleries C-F at the DeVos Place.

Leading the session will be Charlie Arnot, chief executive officer of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), a not-for-profit corporation established to build consumer trust and confidence in the contemporary U.S. food system.

Arnot will share findings from CFI’s 2008 consumer survey, which questioned consumers on their level of concern regarding a variety of issues, including food safety, humane treatment of farm animals and sustainability.

In general, the survey found that consumer confidence in food safety and farm animal treatment is waning, but there is room for improvement. Regaining the public’s trust, however, won’t come easy, and will likely require new approaches to how farmers and others in the food system communicate with the public.

“I think Charlie Arnot’s message will really sink in with our members,” said Deb Schmucker, manager of MFB’s Promotion and Education Department. “He has keen insight on the scientific and social ends of the spectrum and will be able to advise farmers on how to appeal to social values that consumers and farmers share in common.”

Social values cannot be underestimated, says Arnot, because they help provide balance, which ultimately leads to a sustainable food system.

“Sustainability includes practices that are ethically grounded, scientifically verified and economically viable. When those three elements operate in balance, and we establish proactive and beneficial dialogue up and down the chain, our food system can be supported by stakeholders and operate successfully,” said Arnot.

Schmucker predicts Farm Bureau members will also gain from learning about CFI’s objectives, which, in addition to correcting misinformation, include an understanding “that some food system practices should be looked at with an open mind and, in order to build trust, we must be candid about the opportunity to improve.”

-30-

Contact: Jill Corrin, (800) 292-2680, ext. 6585

LANSING, Nov. 20, 2008 - Workshops at Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) upcoming annual meeting set out to ensure that farmers have a seat at the table in ongoing discussions about climate change and energy, and an effective voice in public conversations on matters such as food safety and animal welfare.

Guest speakers will enlighten Farm Bureau members on these topics during two educational sessions at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting, which runs Dec. 2-5 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Climate and energy

The first session is devoted to climate change and energy production and consumption. It will be held Dec. 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s Pantlind Ballroom.

While MFB policy historically has supported several initiatives related to renewable energy and environmental protection, the organization currently does not have policy specific to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. That could change, however, because at this year’s annual meeting members will vote on a proposed policy that addresses climate change at the state level and supports, among other things, a practical, voluntary, market-based carbon credit trading system. Members will also consider a slightly revised national Farm Bureau policy which echoes much the same.

The purpose of the workshop is to help prepare MFB members for these policy discussions by providing a comprehensive review of what is known and what is on the horizon, said Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, MFB agricultural ecology specialist.

“In terms of state and federal government, the discussion is centered not on whether climate change is occurring, but rather what to do about it,” said Vollmer-Sanders. “So the intention here is to acknowledge that there is a movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and agriculture needs to have a voice in how this is accomplished.”

To set the stage, Michigan State University agricultural meteorologist Jeff Andresen will kick off the workshop by defining the terminology most often associated with climate change and summarizing Michigan’s weather trends over the last century.

Also presenting will be Jon Allan, director of Environmental and Laboratory Services for Consumers Energy. Allan will discuss how energy production and consumption factor into the climate change equation and how suggested measures to lessen greenhouse gases would affect energy prices.

In addition, Allan will update members on the activities and progress of two high-profile groups that he belongs to, the Michigan Climate Action Council and the advisory group of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

Created a year ago by an executive order of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan Climate Action Council has been charged with assessing the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the state presently and making recommendations on how to reduce those emissions in the future. The council is expected to deliver its report in December. The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord is an agreement between nine Midwestern states and two Canadian provinces to explore a regional program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Rounding out the guest presenters is Staci Bohlen, national issues specialist with the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Bohlen will share experiences from Minnesota, where the governor has already mandated an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and a state climate action council, of which Bohlen is a member, has been charged with determining how to achieve that standard.

“I think our members will benefit from hearing about the challenges facing Minnesota farmers, as that state is almost two years ahead of Michigan in regulating greenhouse gas emissions,” said Vollmer-Sanders. “I think our members will be surprised to learn that 14 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota are attributed to agriculture, as compared to 3 percent in Michigan, yet Minnesota’s massive expansion of ethanol pumps does not count toward emission reductions in that state.”

Speaking proactively and positively about agriculture

The second workshop, entitled “Speaking Proactively and Positively about Agriculture,” will tackle issues related to overcoming public misconceptions about modern agriculture. It takes place Dec. 3 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in Grand Galleries C-F at the DeVos Place.

Leading the session will be Charlie Arnot, chief executive officer of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), a not-for-profit corporation established to build consumer trust and confidence in the contemporary U.S. food system.

Arnot will share findings from CFI’s 2008 consumer survey, which questioned consumers on their level of concern regarding a variety of issues, including food safety, humane treatment of farm animals and sustainability.

In general, the survey found that consumer confidence in food safety and farm animal treatment is waning, but there is room for improvement. Regaining the public’s trust, however, won’t come easy, and will likely require new approaches to how farmers and others in the food system communicate with the public.

“I think Charlie Arnot’s message will really sink in with our members,” said Deb Schmucker, manager of MFB’s Promotion and Education Department. “He has keen insight on the scientific and social ends of the spectrum and will be able to advise farmers on how to appeal to social values that consumers and farmers share in common.”

Social values cannot be underestimated, says Arnot, because they help provide balance, which ultimately leads to a sustainable food system.

“Sustainability includes practices that are ethically grounded, scientifically verified and economically viable. When those three elements operate in balance, and we establish proactive and beneficial dialogue up and down the chain, our food system can be supported by stakeholders and operate successfully,” said Arnot.

Schmucker predicts Farm Bureau members will also gain from learning about CFI’s objectives, which, in addition to correcting misinformation, include an understanding “that some food system practices should be looked at with an open mind and, in order to build trust, we must be candid about the opportunity to improve.”

-30-

Contact: Jill Corrin, (800) 292-2680, ext. 6585

LANSING, Nov. 20, 2008 - Workshops at Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) upcoming annual meeting set out to ensure that farmers have a seat at the table in ongoing discussions about climate change and energy, and an effective voice in public conversations on matters such as food safety and animal welfare.

Guest speakers will enlighten Farm Bureau members on these topics during two educational sessions at MFB’s 89th Annual Meeting, which runs Dec. 2-5 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Climate and energy

The first session is devoted to climate change and energy production and consumption. It will be held Dec. 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s Pantlind Ballroom.

While MFB policy historically has supported several initiatives related to renewable energy and environmental protection, the organization currently does not have policy specific to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. That could change, however, because at this year’s annual meeting members will vote on a proposed policy that addresses climate change at the state level and supports, among other things, a practical, voluntary, market-based carbon credit trading system. Members will also consider a slightly revised national Farm Bureau policy which echoes much the same.

The purpose of the workshop is to help prepare MFB members for these policy discussions by providing a comprehensive review of what is known and what is on the horizon, said Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, MFB agricultural ecology specialist.

“In terms of state and federal government, the discussion is centered not on whether climate change is occurring, but rather what to do about it,” said Vollmer-Sanders. “So the intention here is to acknowledge that there is a movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and agriculture needs to have a voice in how this is accomplished.”

To set the stage, Michigan State University agricultural meteorologist Jeff Andresen will kick off the workshop by defining the terminology most often associated with climate change and summarizing Michigan’s weather trends over the last century.

Also presenting will be Jon Allan, director of Environmental and Laboratory Services for Consumers Energy. Allan will discuss how energy production and consumption factor into the climate change equation and how suggested measures to lessen greenhouse gases would affect energy prices.

In addition, Allan will update members on the activities and progress of two high-profile groups that he belongs to, the Michigan Climate Action Council and the advisory group of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

Created a year ago by an executive order of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan Climate Action Council has been charged with assessing the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the state presently and making recommendations on how to reduce those emissions in the future. The council is expected to deliver its report in December. The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord is an agreement between nine Midwestern states and two Canadian provinces to explore a regional program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Rounding out the guest presenters is Staci Bohlen, national issues specialist with the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Bohlen will share experiences from Minnesota, where the governor has already mandated an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and a state climate action council, of which Bohlen is a member, has been charged with determining how to achieve that standard.

“I think our members will benefit from hearing about the challenges facing Minnesota farmers, as that state is almost two years ahead of Michigan in regulating greenhouse gas emissions,” said Vollmer-Sanders. “I think our members will be surprised to learn that 14 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota are attributed to agriculture, as compared to 3 percent in Michigan, yet Minnesota’s massive expansion of ethanol pumps does not count toward emission reductions in that state.”

Speaking proactively and positively about agriculture

The second workshop, entitled “Speaking Proactively and Positively about Agriculture,” will tackle issues related to overcoming public misconceptions about modern agriculture. It takes place Dec. 3 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in Grand Galleries C-F at the DeVos Place.

Leading the session will be Charlie Arnot, chief executive officer of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), a not-for-profit corporation established to build consumer trust and confidence in the contemporary U.S. food system.

Arnot will share findings from CFI’s 2008 consumer survey, which questioned consumers on their level of concern regarding a variety of issues, including food safety, humane treatment of farm animals and sustainability.

In general, the survey found that consumer confidence in food safety and farm animal treatment is waning, but there is room for improvement. Regaining the public’s trust, however, won’t come easy, and will likely require new approaches to how farmers and others in the food system communicate with the public.

“I think Charlie Arnot’s message will really sink in with our members,” said Deb Schmucker, manager of MFB’s Promotion and Education Department. “He has keen insight on the scientific and social ends of the spectrum and will be able to advise farmers on how to appeal to social values that consumers and farmers share in common.”

Social values cannot be underestimated, says Arnot, because they help provide balance, which ultimately leads to a sustainable food system.

“Sustainability includes practices that are ethically grounded, scientifically verified and economically viable. When those three elements operate in balance, and we establish proactive and beneficial dialogue up and down the chain, our food system can be supported by stakeholders and operate successfully,” said Arnot.

Schmucker predicts Farm Bureau members will also gain from learning about CFI’s objectives, which, in addition to correcting misinformation, include an understanding “that some food system practices should be looked at with an open mind and, in order to build trust, we must be candid about the opportunity to improve.”

-30-