Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

Road Safety Signage

Operating farm equipment on and around roads is dangerous.  Everything possible should be done to reduce the number of accidents.  County Road Commissions (CRC) provide signage for roads according to safety standards.  CRC reports "people do not pay attention to signs." Additional factors may exist:  Hills, valleys, distractions that should be considered before CRC deny sign placement.  Let's not wait for a terrible accident to occur before making "safety first." Clare County Farm Bureau supports placing road signs in potentially dangerous areas where farm equipment is used.

Safety For Our Young Farmers

Many children operate farm equipment at an early age without proper safety training.  This lack of knowledge can be hazardous to their well being as well as others.  Farm Bureau and Promotion & Education could develop an equipment safety program (i.e. tractor safety, etc.) for our young farmers.  Once completing the training, a certificate can be given.  The development and training costs should be funded or at least subsidized by Farm Bureau Insurance.  Clare County Farm Bureau supports Farm Bureau sponsored farm equipment safety training for children.

Young Farmer Age

Because many 18-year-olds have already decided on their plans for their futures Clare County Farm Bureau supports lowering the Young Farmer age from 18 to 16.  Perhaps if we can get them interested in agriculture and Farm Bureau at an earlier age they will be more likely to continue in these endeavors.

Nuisance Bear Permits

Due to the increasing loss of bee hives from nuisance and/or problem bears Clare County Farm Bureau supports issuing bee keepers a permit to shoot said nuisance bears (similar to nuisance deer permit available to crop farmers) whether it is bear season or not as long as bee keepers can properly document proof of bear and loss/damage of hives.

REAFFIRMATION:

Agri-Science Education

Due to the economic importance that agriculture plays in the Clare County communities, Clare County Farm Bureau supports including Agri-Science education in its high school curriculum.  Additionally, Agri-Science education should be offered by vocational and technical educational institutions.

State Resolutions

Farm Health Care Cooperative

For two years and counting, Michigan Farm Bureau has been "watching" the Wisconsin Farmers Health Cooperative.  MFB and AFBF, with vast membership numbers should develop Health Care Cooperative Insurance to offer in addition to the current Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan plans.  Clare County Farm Bureau supports Farm Bureau sponsored affordable cooperative health insurance for our member families.

Government Deficit

Government spending remains "out of control." Reduce the deficit by implementing policies to reduce government state and federal wages:  Employees pay 20% of health insurance benefits, limit lifetime government pensions at the same rate as public social security.  Clare County Farm Bureau supports reduction in government payroll and benefits.

Road Safety Signage

Operating farm equipment on and around roads is dangerous.  Everything possible should be done to reduce the number of accidents.  County Road Commissions (CRC) provide signage for roads according to safety standards.  CRC reports "people do not pay attention to signs." Additional factors may exist:  Hills, valleys, distractions that should be considered before CRC deny sign placement.  Let's not wait for a terrible accident to occur before making "safety first." Clare County Farm Bureau supports placing road signs in potentially dangerous areas where farm equipment is used.

Safety For Our Young Farmers

Many children operate farm equipment at an early age without proper safety training.  This lack of knowledge can be hazardous to their well being as well as others.  Farm Bureau and Promotion & Education could develop an equipment safety program (i.e. tractor safety, etc.) for our young farmers.  Once completing the training, a certificate can be given.  The development and training costs should be funded or at least subsidized by Farm Bureau Insurance.  Clare County Farm Bureau supports Farm Bureau sponsored farm equipment safety training for children.

Young Farmer Age

Because many 18-year-olds have already decided on their plans for their futures Clare County Farm Bureau supports lowering the Young Farmer age from 18 to 16.  Perhaps if we can get them interested in agriculture and Farm Bureau at an earlier age they will be more likely to continue in these endeavors.

Nuisance Bear Permits

Due to the increasing loss of bee hives from nuisance and/or problem bears Clare County Farm Bureau supports issuing bee keepers a permit to shoot said nuisance bears (similar to nuisance deer permit available to crop farmers) whether it is bear season or not as long as bee keepers can properly document proof of bear and loss/damage of hives.

Feral Hogs

Clare County Farm Bureau supports the MFB Advisory Committee's proposed resolution to eliminate all feral hogs and "hunting" hogs in Michigan, see the following:

Wildlife Management - The Committee recommends the elimination of all feral hogs and "hunting" hogs in Michigan as no fence can keep them confined.  All hunt clubs should have the opportunity to phase out their current hunting swine populations.  Michigan should consider a bounty system for existing feral swine.

Ban on Deer Baiting and Feeding

Clare County Farm Bureau supports the MFB Advisory Committee's proposed resolution that sound science by the only determining factor in lifting the ban of baiting and feeding, see the following:

Wildlife Management - The Committee recommends that sound science be the only determining factor in lifting the ban of baiting and feeding, not simply a drop in license sales and lace of resources for enforcement.

REAFFIRMATION:

Petition Process

Presently, only a petition and a minimum number of signatures are required to get an issue on an election ballot.  Petition signatures are valid regardless of where, within the state, they are gathered.  A rural issue may reach a ballot resulting from petition signatures gathered in urban areas.  Due to the concerns that a future ballot initiative may have a negative impact on agriculture, Clare County Farm Bureau supports a petition process for state ballot referendums that require a percentage of the signatures gathered be from the areas within our state being affected.

REAFFIRMATION:

Term Limits

Clare County Farm Bureau supports changing the term for State Representatives from the current 3 two-year terms to 2 three-year terms.