http://www.michfb.com/ci/ News from the 2008 Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting en-us Copyright 1999-2009 Michigan Farm Bureau mfbinfo@michfb.com (Michigan Farm Bureau Information & Public Relations Division) mfbwebmaster@michfb.com (Michigan Farm Bureau Web Administrator) http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sunday Saturday More than 1,000 Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) members will gather for the 89th MFB Annual Meeting and do what they do best, and that's carry out the meeting's theme of "Building Our Future: One Success at a Time." Over the four-day stretch, MFB members will have ample opportunities, to help shape their future and that of Michigan's $64 billion agriculture industry. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/128 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/128 Climate change, wildlife management and animal care are just a few of the more than 100 issues farmers will chew on when they gather to adopt organizational policies at the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 89th Annual Meeting. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/130 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/130 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. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/131 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/131 The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is rolling out the red carpet for the agriculture industry’s up-and-coming stars. The top crop of young farmers will be honored Dec. 3 at a Celebrating Michigan’s Rising Stars banquet. The event recognizes young farmers between the ages of 18 and 35, and is part of the MFB 89th Annual Meeting, which runs Dec. 2-5 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/132 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/132 At a time when instant text messaging and fragmented communication are all the rage, it’s good to know the art of conversation has not been lost on today’s young farmers. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/138 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/138 The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is gearing up to cultivate the young minds of Grand Rapids-area third-graders at the fourth-annual Project Rural Education Day (RED). On Dec. 4, in conjunction with the MFB 89th Annual Meeting, Farm Bureau members will deliver agricultural lessons to 1,200 youngsters – and they will do it at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/139 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/43/139 Farmers are caring and nurturing people with high ethical standards, and nowhere is this more apparent than on the Arenac County dairy farm of Victor Daniels, Jr. For Daniels, of Sterling, “assisting downed cows in a timely and humane fashion is a top priority,” and that conviction inspired him to develop what he calls a “Hip Lift Swivel.” http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/133 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/133 Over the past year, residents of Gratiot County have become well acquainted with local farmers. They’ve listened to them on the radio, read about them in the newspaper, and seen their faces on the big screen. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/134 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/134 Spotting a nook or cranny on the Sklarcyzk Seed Farm that has not been touched by the green thumbs of father-and-son operators Don and Ben Sklarcyzk is nearly impossible. From top to bottom and inside and out, the Johannesburg farm employs the newest and best practices for environmental stewardship, energy efficiency and wildlife conservation. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/135 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/135 Practically nothing is off limits for the young people advised by Ravenna 4-H club leader Geraldine Eadie. If city kids want to exhibit livestock at the county fair she makes it happen. If club members want more in-depth study of a particular subject she makes that happen, too. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/136 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/136 Farmers in Berrien County are safer these days thanks to the volunteerism of one of their own – fruit, vegetable and grain grower Ed Kretchman of St. Joseph. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/137 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/137 Catharine Calder is the head of the class in more ways than one. Not only did she found the Meadow Montessori School in Monroe where she teaches, but she introduced agricultural education to the school back in 1993, and for that she’s being honored as Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) K-12 Educator of the Year. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/141 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/141 Time and time again, Kyle Fiebig has thrown himself into his work as Montague High School’s agriscience teacher and FFA adviser. So it was only a matter of time before Fiebig nabbed the distinction as Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Agriscience Educator of the Year. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/140 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/140 In more ways than one, Herb Teichman is a spitting image of the ideal recipient the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) had in mind when it developed the Agricultural Promoter of the Year Award three years ago. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/142 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/142 The results of Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) popular young farmer contests are in, and four young farmers have been formally recognized for their superior agricultural involvement and leadership. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/143 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/143 Young farmer Brian Preston, of Quincy in Branch County, is the winner of Michigan Farm Bureau's (MFB) 2008 Young Farmer Discussion Meet. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/144 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/144 Edward Freundl doesn’t have a farming background, but he has embraced the opportunities that media work has afforded him to learn – and to educate others – about the state’s food and fiber industry. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/145 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/145 A film-making duo with roots in the sandy soil of west-central Michigan can add a Farm Bureau award to the long list of praise heaped on their latest endeavor, a film about one of Michigan’s most distinctive crops. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/146 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/146 Few people can say they have created a legacy that will impact Michigan agriculture for generations to come, but Dave Morris can. In every facet of his life whether it be farming, public service or philanthropy, the Grand Ledge farmer has touched the lives of thousands. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/147 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/44/147 The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Board of Directors has a new Promotion and Education (P&E) Representative; but otherwise the board is made up of familiar faces, including the re-election of Sanilac County dairy farmer Wayne H. Wood to another two-year term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization. http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/45/148 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/45/148 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/46/149 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/46/149 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/46/150 http://www.michfb.com/annual/index/46/150