Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

Ingham County Agricultural Land Preservation (Reaffirmation)

Ingham County Farm Bureau policy has supported efforts to preserve and maintain farmland throughout the region for several years. Since 2003, members of Farm Bureau have participated in committees, taken trips to other states to review programs in operation, and supported State and National initiatives dedicated to this purpose.

In 2008, the voters of Ingham County passed a ballot proposal to fund Farmland Preservation. This year (2010), over $1,000,000.00 is available to begin the preservation of farmland in Ingham County. The program is now eligible for receiving additional matching funds from Federal sources. The process for farm owners to participate in the program is now underway. Ingham County Farm Bureau has participated in this effort by publicizing the farm owner informational meetings and encouraging land owners to get involved. It is expected that a limited number of farms will qualify for funding this year.

Action:

We reaffirm the support of Farmland Preservation efforts in Ingham County. ICFB will continue to assist the Ingham County Farm Preservation Board by publicizing and encouraging Farm Bureau members to learn about ways they can participate in this program. We reaffirm the Ingham County Policy "Ingham County Agricultural Land Preservation" adopted in 2009 and 2010. ADOPTED

Taxation without Representation (Reaffirmation)

Farmers who own land in townships other than where they reside are not eligible to vote on issues that affect their property in those townships. Issues such as county and township services, zoning regulations, and taxation occur without any means for the land owner to officially have their voices heard.

Owners of property are expected to comply with all laws and/or regulations established by the voters and administered by township officials whether they live in the township or not. The costs to the land owner, in effect, are set by others allowing no recourse or legal representation.

Farmers should be granted the opportunity to legitimately voice their concerns and vote on issues that affect their property.

Action:

The Ingham County Farm Bureau recommends a review of property owner rights and responsibilities on land owned where the farmer/owner does not reside. We reaffirm the Ingham County Policy "Taxation without Representation" adopted in 2009 and 2010. ADOPTED

Ingham County Fair Support

Over the last 160 plus years, county fairs have been an educational and entertainment event primarily oriented towards agriculture and homemaking. It has been a celebration of rural America and the rural life. In Ingham County, the guidance and direction for fair operations comes from a 12 member board appointed and overseen by the County Board of Commissioners. In addition, one commissioner serves on the Ingham County Fair Board of Directors. Currently there is no fair board member whose primary interest is agriculture, even though there are individuals with rural backgrounds.

The lack of agriculturally related individuals on the fair board has lead to a reduced emphasis of the Ingham County Fair on agriculture and reduced participation from the agricultural community.

At least one individual, preferably more, should be on the fair board to specifically represent agriculture, the second largest industry in the county.

Action:

The leadership of Ingham County Farm Bureau should work with the Ingham Board of Commissioners to have at least one member of the fair board selected from the membership of the Ingham County Farm Bureau. In addition, encourage all Ingham County Farm Bureau members to be active in support of the Ingham County fair and communicate their interests and concerns to their elected commissioner and fair board members. ADOPTED

Drain Assessment Issues

The lack of agriculturally related individuals on the fair board has lead to a reduced emphasis of the Ingham County Fair on agriculture and reduced participation from the agricultural community.

At least one individual, preferably more, should be on the fair board to specifically represent agriculture, the second largest industry in the county.

Action:

E-85 & Blender Pump Availability in Mason and Ingham County

Ethanol is fuel made from corn for automobiles. Most auto manufacturers build these cars today. However, E-85 is not available at local stations in the area. Only four exist in the greater Lansing area.

Ethanol is made from field corn, not food grade corn. One acre of corn can be processed into 431 gallons of ethanol and 2,616 of pounds of distiller's grains for livestock feed. There are more than 8 million Flex-fuel vehicles on American roads today with millions more being produced each year. Blender pumps would expand the markets for ethanol and the flexibility for consumers to select their ethanol blend. This would lessen our dependence on foreign oil and help Michigan's economy recover through home-grown renewable fuels.

We encourage service stations in Mason and throughout Ingham County to promote corn farming (and agriculture in general) by installing blender pumps which would allow consumers to select the ethanol blend of their choice up to the delivery of E-85 fuel.

Action:

Ingham County Farm Bureau supports corn farmers and the ethanol industry by encouraging Service Station owners and operators to install blender pumps and equipment to service the new Flex-fuel vehicles and others. ADOPTED

State Resolutions

Part-time Legislature (Reaffirmation)

In the interest of the economy, legislative efficiency and increased support from the public we urge Michigan Farm Bureau to renew efforts toward a part-time legislature in Michigan. The State legislature is wasting time and money. For example: the budget deadline is known but recently this business does not get done in a timely manner so the legislature has to temporarily extend the operating fund until they come up with a budget.

The overall effect is more costs to the taxpayer than needed to get the job done.

We need less politics and a more down to business state government. Elected officials can get the job done in a shorter time frame but their efforts are thwarted by delays in making the hard decisions.

Action:

The Ingham County Farm Bureau supports a part time legislature. Michigan is in the minority of states with a full-time legislature. In the current economic climate it seems consistent to pursue actions which culminates in the Michigan Legislature to become "part-time". We reaffirm the Ingham County Policy "Part-time Legislature" adopted in 2009 and 2010. ADOPTED

Support for Fairs (Reaffirmation)

In 2009 the State of Michigan reduced several line items in an effort to reduce the statewide budget deficit. Among the cuts made was funding to local county fairs including premium payments and improvement funds.

Michigan fairs are an important part of our state's growing agriculture industry, helping to maintain a much-needed connection to rural traditions while highlighting modern agriculture practices.

The state's 86 local, county, and state fairs provide safe, family-friendly entertainment, celebrate our communities and the bounty of our agricultural harvest with over 4 million people in attendance in the State of Michigan each year.

Over 50,000 Michigan youth and adults participate in livestock and community arts exhibitions each year.

Action:

The Ingham County Farm Bureau encourages the State of Michigan along with Michigan Department of Agriculture and local county fairs to reinstate fair premiums or explore alternative funding sources to continue the payment of premiums to all exhibitors in the future. We reaffirm the Ingham County Policy "Support for Fairs" adopted in 2009 and 2010. ADOPTED

Power Quality and Electrical Pollution (Reaffirmation)

Power quality and electrical pollution are problems affecting farms and farm families. These can be problems attributed to a number of potential sources.

Power quality and electrical pollution affects the health of all individuals living or working on the farm, the health and production of all livestock, and the function of all equipment.

The use of and reliance on electricity for farm and home operations has increased tremendously over the years. During this time of increase in electrical demands, the electrical distribution system in many parts of the state has not been adequately updated. In addition, many of today's appliances and equipment utilize electricity differently than in the past. They are putting increasingly more demands on the electrical distribution system.

We urge utility companies to become more efficient by upgrading their electrical distribution system to meet the demands of current electrical utilization and safety standards.

We urge all utility companies, including cable companies to improve their maintenance of utility rights-of-way to decrease the possibility of neutral to ground electrical pollution.

We urge the constant monitoring of power quality and electrical pollution standards and the active involvement of the livestock industry in their updates.

We urge continued research to determine specifically where and how poor power quality and electrical pollution affects animals and people.

Action:

We support the development of realistic standards of measuring electrical pollution. We reaffirm the Ingham County Policy "Power Quality and Electrical Pollution" adopted in 2008, 2009, and 2010. ADOPTED

Agriscience & Natural Resources Education & The FFA - (State reaffirmation)

We encourage the expansion of junior high/middle schools and high school Agriscience and Natural Resources Education Programs (ANRE) and FFA Chapters as vital tools for educating young people, providing career and technical training and development of leaders to work in careers related to Michigan's second largest industry.

Michigan Farm Bureau commends the Michigan Career Development Council on its support and recognition of agriculture as the second largest industry in the State through the creation of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Career Pathway. This career pathway will enable the future leaders of agriculture to obtain foundational knowledge that will help shape their careers and ultimately promote the sustainability of the agriculture industry.

We strongly encourage agriscience and natural resources courses fulfill the criteria and be recognized as a science credit by all high schools, colleges and universities in Michigan.

Regional Educational School Districts, superintendents, principals and counselors should be provided information on curriculum requirements of agri-science careers so they can encourage student participation.

ANRE and FFA Chapters in the State of Michigan have been supported for years by the local school district, added-cost funding administered by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and federal Perkins dollars. These appropriations are essential for public school districts to retain ANRE and the FFA as program priorities, and as an incentive to expand these programs into other school districts.

Added-cost funding available to ANRE programs has continued to decline with more than 50 percent of the programs receiving no funding. We encourage the MDE to adequately fund these programs, (e.d., FFA) so as to provide educational and career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources at the high school level.

We support the reporting of all information regarding graduates, or completers, from all Agriscience and Natural Resources programs within the State. This information should help increase the amount of added-cost funding for each student currently enrolled in the program. We also encourage all Agriscience and Natural Resources instructors to engage in an active role in the information gathering and reporting process.

Community support is vital to the survival of high school ANRE programs and FFA Chapters. We encourage county Farm Bureaus and members to assist and become involved with their local FFA Chapters.

We encourage MFB and county Farm Bureaus to assist in state and local FFA alumni activities. We support the Michigan FFA alumni and national alumni associations in their efforts to strengthen and natural resource education across the state and nation.

Michigan's over 100 agriscience and FFA programs are important to the future success of Michigan agriculture. The programs provide future leadership to the agricultural industry and many programmatic and leadership opportunities for non-farm students to learn about and understand agriculture, natural resources and the environment.

Action:

We reaffirm the State policy #44 Agriscience & Natural Resources Education & The FFA adopted in 2009 and 2010.

ADOPTED

Animal Control Powers (Reaffirmation)

The overly aggressive use of powers to access private property by animal control personnel is growing.

Not held under the same scrutiny as police officers, animal control officers continue to expand on what they see as their right to proceed onto private property to investigate complaints of poor animal care. Animal control officers are often not educated in livestock production or even the physiology of farm livestock. This drastically restricts their ability to make sound determinations on the condition of farm livestock.

Animal agriculture recognizes and supports the adherence to proper animal care standards, but opposes the current enforcement procedures by county animal control departments.

Action:

We urge MFB and the legislature to change operating procedures that govern all county animal control departments to mirror the same procedures as state law enforcement, which requires establishment of probable cause and obtaining either a search warrant or consent of the owner before entering the property. We reaffirm the Ingham County Policy "Animal Control Powers" adopted in 2008, 2009, and 2010. ADOPTED

Bridge to Canada

Canada imports 60 percent of our state's agricultural produce making easy and economical transportation of American products to market an on-going concern of every Michigan farmer. The state's agriculture industry support the New International Trade Crossing (NITC), a proposed bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, despite lobbying efforts and mass-media advertisements against its construction.

The proposed NITC would be administered by a governor-appointed Bridge Authority that would negotiate building contracts, regulate operations and set crossing toll rates, at no cost to Michigan taxpayers. Further, the NITC promises to be more efficient with easier access from highways and shorter delays from international custom inspectors. Projections suggest the NITC would ultimately create up to 30,000 new jobs in Michigan while bringing many more matching federal dollars into the state.*

Action:

Michigan Farm Bureau should support Senate bills 410 and 411, establishing the "New International Trade Crossing" authority to facilitate exports of all kinds into Canada, particularly Michigan agricultural products, and protecting state taxpayers from future bridge-related expenses.

*The family that owns the existing Ambassador Bridge opposes this new bridge proposal through lobbying and advertisements that suggest construction would cost Michigan taxpayers millions annually, while admitting the NITC would cut that family's income in half, some $300 million per year. Instead it prefers to build its own privately-owned bridge alongside the Ambassador Bridge despite poor access from urban highways and Canadian objections. ADOPTED

Horse Racing Industry in Michigan

The horse racing industry is in a steady decline in Michigan. Due to lower purses in Michigan, the horsemen are moving their stables out to the East Coast or going to nearby states such as Ohio to race in higher pursed, more quality races. The impact of Michigan tracks not having video lottery terminals is also significant to the income of Michigan horsemen.

We need to allow slots or racinos at Michigan tracks. The additional funds from Video Lottery Terminals will help support larger purses.

There has been a recent announcement that Raceway Park, located just over the Michigan/Ohio border in Toledo, Ohio, will be relocating to the Youngstown, Ohio area. Now is the time to encourage Ohio horsemen to bring their business to Michigan tracks.

Action:

The Ingham County Farm Bureau supports racinos or another creative way to make purses larger to keep horsemen in Michigan. We also encourage the Michigan legislature to support legislation to put in place Video Lottery Terminals at Michigan tracks. We believe that the Michigan race industry is a vital component of agriculture. We encourage lobbying efforts to make a stronger horse racing industry in Michigan. ADOPTED

Mid Career Farmer Policy

There is a growing population of mid-career farmers who are returning to production agriculture practices after working for years outside of the agriculture industry. There is a growing number of farmers in the 35-50 year old range that have missed out on the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through the Young Farmer program during their early career years, but are prepared during the next phase of their career to serve the Farm Bureau organization and the agriculture industry as leaders in the coming years.

Action:

Farm Bureau should support this mid-career group of members by providing leadership training and networking opportunities to build the skills of individuals in this stage of their career. This group should be supported by the organization with similar programs to young farmers, but aimed at the needs of middle-aged farmers. ADOPTED

Feral Hogs in Michigan

Feral Swine are a serious threat to farmers and homeowners. These animals carry disease and parasites which may spread to livestock. In addition, they cause severe damage to agricultural crops and neighborhoods in both rural and urban areas. They also have the potential for disaster on the highway, more serious than deer/car accidents.

Animals that have escaped from the sport shooting facilities have been a factor in increasing the feral swine population and these animals are excellent vectors for transmitting diseases. Research studies (Hutton et al, 2006) confirm that feral swine can carry as many as 30 viral and bacterial diseases, including tuberculosis, and at least 37 parasites that affect people, livestock, wildlife and pets. In fact, in recent years, some animals from these facilities in Michigan have been found to be infected with the pseudo rabies virus.

Feral Hogs should be eradicated from "Game Preserves" before the costs to agriculture and the danger to Human Lives escalates.

Action:

We favor the complete elimination of these animals from Michigan. We support legislation, which would make it unlawful to maintain them. ADOPTED

Refocus of MSUE to Agricultural Production

MSUE funding has been drastically reduced and available agricultural support resources have been refocused on other programs.

Local ag extension positions have not been filled, thus causing county ag producers to seek information from ag educators from other areas.

Action:

We encourage Michigan State University Extension to reevaluate their educational and outreach programs and to refocus their efforts on the core programs such as agronomy, animal science, horticulture, or other agricultural programs based on the local agricultural needs of the area. ADOPTED

Small Animal Processing in Michigan

There is an increasing production of chickens and rabbits in Michigan.

There is also a great demand for meat by grocers. Due to strict Michigan laws, meat processing facilities for retail sales cannot exist.

Action:

We support a change in Michigan's regulations to permit such facilities to be in operation. Not only will these facilities be able to keep up with the needs of grocers in Michigan, but the taxes and fees would be positive for Michigan's economy. ADOPTED

Misuse of Electronic Benefit Transfers

Food assistance programs are federally funded programs administered through the state government. One widely used means of getting this assistance to those who need it is through the use of Electronic Benefit Transfers, the Bridge Card system.

Recent audits of this program have shown that the fraudulent miss use of this system costs the taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

The state has been investigating and prosecuting store owners who are illegally buying Bridge Cards and applying for reimbursement.

Action:

We support the current efforts being made to curtail the illegal ways this system is being used and encourage the state to not only continue these efforts but to expand them.

We also believe that those caught illegally selling Bridge Cards should be prosecuted and be ineligible to receive any further assistance. ADOPTED

National Resolutions

Taxation Without Respiration (Reaffirmation)

The Estate Tax or "Death Tax" is due to be reinstated on January 1, 2011. The Economic Growth & Tax Reconciliation Act, passed in 2001 will expire on December 31, 2010. The Estate Tax will be 55% on everything exceeding $1 million.

Farmers and small business owners who have spent a lifetime building and reinvesting in their enterprises are most affected by this tax. Beneficiaries are often unable to cover the tax bill in the nine months allowed and therefore must sell part or all of the farm or business to satisfy the government. This tax has been found to destroy millions of jobs. It costs America's economy billions in valuable capital.

If congress and the President do nothing, the "Death Tax" will again go into effect. Farmers and Farm Bureau members must take action. The time to voice your opinion is now and loudly.

Action:

We support the elimination of the Estate/Death Tax or at least a minimum returned to 5 million exemption with a maximum of 35% tax.

We urge Farm Bureau members to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to voice their opinion. Call, write, or e-mail them or do all three.

We defend the right of the individual who through hard work and "industry" to pass on their life savings to their beneficiaries. ADOPTED

Alternative Energy Sources (Reaffirmation)

Our Nation faces many social, economic and environmental issues linked to population growth and available resources. This places a responsibility on farmers, among other groups, to create new sustainable energy sources, and make the most efficient use of existing resources.

There is a growing demand for energy sources and manufactured goods. Easily accessible petroleum and fossil fuels are diminishing. These factors require changes to our use of energy and to social and economic policy.

Farmers are in a position to contribute to development of alternative energy sources. Use of crops including corn and soybeans to produce renewable energy such as ethanol and bio-diesel can help replace ever more expensive petroleum, while being cleaner and less detrimental to the environment. Using less arable land for installation of wind turbines, solar cells and nuclear power plants to generate electricity further aid in meeting energy needs. Fortunately advances in technology are making these alternatives to fossil fuels both cheaper and more efficient. Such new applications of agriculture and technology will help farmers contribute to our nation's continued prosperity.

Action:

We recommend expansion of alternative energy resources through collaboration with university, industry, and governmental programs currently underway. Educating farmers regarding these expanding markets and supporting development of improved technologies to make use of agricultural products will help address future energy needs while adding opportunities for Michigan farmers. ADOPTED

Oil Company Petroleum Storage Systems and Pipelines

There have been too many problems in our county and state with oil spills and leaking storage tanks. Higher standards must be set for operators of energy pipelines.

In Ingham County, a Marathon Pipe Line gasoline leak spilled more than 400,000 gallons. New technology exists to detect leaks and the shutdown of pipes during emergencies for replacement of cast-iron pipes is needed.

Michigan has 12,000 miles of pipelines and 55,000 miles of natural gas pipelines.

Action:

These problems need to be addressed and corrected. For the oil companies we suggest:

1. Routine checks of pipelines pressure systems and tanks

2. Pipeline depth needs to be maintained. Bury below frost line to prevent pipelines from migrating to the surface.

3. Pipelines should be lower than field tile and drain lines.

4. Pipelines should be checked for deterioration and problems corrected. ADOPTED