Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

Dinner on the Farm

Montcalm County Farm Bureau recently held a successful event called "Dinner on The Farm". The event held at Hardy Spring Lake Dairy Farm near Stanton was an unqualified success with more than 200 people partaking of the delicious dinner and taking the opportunity to see the modern dairy set up on the Hardy Farm.  This event came about as an outgrowth of the county board's commitment to reaching out to the non-agriculture public by letting them see modern agriculture up close.

Therefore be it resolved that we congratulate the committee members and volunteers who worked on this event to provide and prepare the food and manage the tour of the farm. Special thank goes out to the Hardy Family for allowing us to use their farm and to the Stanton Old Fashioned Days Committee for welcoming the addition of our Dinner to their celebration.

Local Law Enforcement

Theft from farms and homes in rural Montcalm County appears to be escalating. Record high prices for "scrap" copper appears to have resulted in increased thefts of copper wiring from equipment such as irrigation pivots, rural homes and buildings. Many times the dollar value of the copper stolen is a very small percentage of the total cost of the damage caused. As of now, there have been no arrests for these reported copper thefts in our county. Many victims of these thefts report feeling as if the crime is of very low importance to our local police agencies.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Montcalm County Farm Bureau Board keep those in law enforcement reminded of our concern by asking for regular updates on progress towards arrest and prosecution of thefts from farms and rural areas. Let it also be resolved that Montcalm County Farm Bureau will

work with these agencies to get information out to potential victims in an effort to prevent thefts. Also let it be resolved Montcalm County Farm Bureau Board look into working with local farmers to establish a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these thieves.

State Resolutions

Michigan Agriculture, potential recovery point for Michigan economy

For decades Michigan relied heavily on manufacturing industries to provide jobs and prosperity to the state. This lack of diversification of industries has had a crippling effect on the state's economy as more and more manufacturers leave the state in search of cheaper places to produce their goods. From June to July 2007 alone there was a loss of more than 35,000 manufacturing jobs. All of this means that it is more important than ever for Michigan to make agriculture and agri-tourism top priorities. Agriculture contributes $60.1 billion annually to the state economy and employs 1 million residents.

Research has shown that residents prefer purchasing Michigan grown products if given the option. If consumers spent an additional 10 percent of their food budget on Michigan grown foods sales would increase by $790 million.

Research has also shown that agri-tourism experiences increase access to and purchase of locally grown foods. MDA estimates there are over 2000 agri-tourism businesses in the state.

The state has made manufacturing and manufacturing jobs its top priority. The state of Michigan Website officers and expansive array of links and tools to those interested in retaining manufacturing jobs or bringing new ones to the state. We understand this priority. Unfortunately, it seems to have come at the expense of the second largest industry in Michigan, agriculture. The only thing you can find out about agriculture on the state website is a listing of farm markets and agri-tourism sites. So why do state officials seem intent on ignoring the bright spot in the economy brought by the growth in production and processing of food and bio-energy? There are many things both elected and appointed state officials could do to help keep the revitalization of Michigan Agriculture going.

Therefore be it resolved the Michigan Department of Agriculture's budget needs to be returned to higher levels, the Michigan State University Extension and Ag Experiment Stations needs to also have more of it's previous budget restored. Michigan should also look into simplifying the many regulations and agencies those in agriculture are forced to deal with when ever they try to expand their business and bring more JOBS to Michigan.

Township consolidation

In a move to save money House Bill 4780 the "township services consolidation act" and several similar bills have been introduced to the state legislature. Historically, moving powers up the government ladder leads to and increase in bureaucracy, than and increase in efficiency.

Therefore be it resolved that we opposed any attempts by the Michigan legislature to eliminate Michigan Townships.

Bottle Deposits and Food Stamps

It has come to our attention that persons receiving food assistance through the Michigan Bridge Card are also able to pay for bottle deposits for things like soda bottles with their assistance voucher (card). Paying a deposit on a can isn't helping anyone's nutrition and leaves open the possibility of

purchase of inexpensive soda simply for the deposit return money, defeating the goal of providing nutrition assistance.

Therefore be it resolved that bottle deposits should be ineligible for bridge card (food stamp) payments.

Animal Welfare

It has been brought to our attention that some county animal control agencies in Michigan are attempting to expand their authority over dogs, cats and other "pet type" animals to farm animals.

Therefore we resolve that all county animal control agencies be made aware of the generally accepted management practices for livestock care and management. These agencies should also be using resources at the Michigan Department of Agriculture to assess animals that are suspected to be neglected or abused, before they take charge of any farm animal.

Michigan Conservation Districts

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) natural Resource Conservation Service in Michigan, the Michigan Department of collaborative conservation agreement to provide technical assistance through the Assistance Program to implement conservation practices that are part of approved federal farm bill contracts on farm land in Michigan.

This agreement has been successful in

· Reducing the amount of time practices wait after approval of funding before being designed.

· Addressing existing resource concerns on farmland.

· Brought over $3.8 Million federal dollars into Michigan through June 30, 2007.

This agreement cannot continue without the continuation of funding by the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

The Conservation Districts implementing the agreement need to provide a stable base for the grants with adequate facilities and staffing and there have been proposals to eliminate funding for Michigan Conservation Districts from the state budget for the coming fiscal year.

Montcalm County Farm Bureau urges the governor and the Legislature to

· Continue the funding for the Michigan Department of Agriculture's portion of the agreement.

· Fully restore the budgeted funding for Michigan's Conservation Districts in order to fulfill their responsibilities under the agreement.

Montcalm County Farm Bureau urges the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Michigan to continue their support for this agreement.

Well Exemptions

In order for agriculture to remain profitable farmers need to be able to manage the dramatically rising cost of inputs. One way of managing input costs and maximizing production on our shrinking available land base is irrigation.

For years other industries have been allowed water well exemptions to utilize and manage shallow water aquifers in a way that has allowed them to reduce input costs and make their businesses more profitable. Agriculture would benefit greatly by being able to utilize these same water sources with like technology.

Therefore be it resolved, agriculture should also be allowed these water well exemptions for shallow aquifers for irrigation purposes on a seasonal basis.

National Resolutions

Excise Tax on Ethanol and Bio-Fuels

For many years the United States government tried to encourage the production of bio-fuels such as ethanol through an exemption on the fuel excise tax and various other tax incentives to produce these fuels. This industry is well on its way now. We think that it is time that the production of ethanol and like fuels not be artificially enhanced with these supports. It is time that these fuels make it on their own in a free market economy.

Therefore we resolve that Farm bureau support the phasing out of the excise tax exemption for ethanol and bio-fuels and get agriculture back on track to a free market economy, not one that has one sector artificially supported.