Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

Title - Promotion and Education Committee

> That we congratulate the committee members for all of their hard work and dedication that resulted in more than 500 people attending the steak dinner.

> In addition to the meal, those in attendance had a chance to view information from several different commodity groups and learn about how farmers care for their animals and the environment.

Title - New Montcalm County Fair Grounds

The Montcalm County 4-H Fair Association has been working and planning for several years to build a new fair ground, this summer they finally saw their dream turned in to reality.

Therefore be it resolved:

> We congratulate and recognize the Fair Board and members of the fair association for all of the hard work and dedication that went into raising funds for the new grounds and then the building of the new grounds. Most of the building and shaping of the grounds was accomplished in less than eight months.

> We would also like to recognize the many businesses and individuals who contributed money, time, and other resources to help the fair association reach its goal of having enough built to host the 2011 fair at the new grounds.

> The fair association still has more work to do to complete the grounds.

> We encourage individuals, businesses and community groups to continue to support the fair association in its efforts to build a first class facility that will be used for much more than the annual fair.

Title - Funding for local extension service, specifically 4-H program director

With a looming budget shortfall of nearly $1 million, Montcalm County is looking at cutting the budget in many areas. One of these proposed areas is trimming the 4-H staffing to only a 20 hour per week program coordinator position. With the new fair grounds, the growth in the 4-H Youth programs in Montcalm County is on the upswing. Reducing the staffing would stop the growth in its tracks. In addition many people and organizations in the county have shown how much they support 4-H and the youth programs through their donations and work on the new fair grounds.

Agriculture is by far the most important business in Montcalm County. Many future ag business owners and employees are involved in 4-H in Montcalm County. Not only is 4-H a critical youth program it is an important part of the economic engine driving this county.

Therefore be it resolved:

> Montcalm County needs to retain a full-time person to coordinate 4-H programs in Montcalm County.

> In addition to this coordinator, a support staff position also needs to be maintained in the office.

State Resolutions

Title - Forest Management of trees along our state and interstate highways

The right of ways of our state and interstate highways contain thousands of acres of forestland.

It is our belief that proper management and harvesting of these forests could be a source of revenue for the state. This revenue could then be used to help maintain these highways. Using local wood producers to harvest these forests could also result in additional jobs in our rural areas.

Therefore be it resolved:

> We call on the state to create and implement a forest management plan for harvesting the trees growing in our state and interstate highway right of ways.

> This management plan will create additional revenue for the state while maintaining the sustainability of the forests for regeneration and more revenue in the future

Title - Funding of Fairs

For year's part of the Michigan Department of Agriculture's budget included funding of fair premiums and matching fund money for capital improvements and repairs for both state and county fairs.

The use of this money was tracked by the MDA under Rule 811, Rule 811 required year end reporting of premiums paid, a year-end balance sheet, and other financial reporting. These reports each fair sent to the state provided the basic framework for the auditing of the use of the state funds. Failure to comply with these reporting requirements could result in fairs losing premium money and matching funds.

So when the state eliminated matching funds and premium money from MDA's budget a few years ago, common sense would indicate that there would be no need for a private entity such as a county fair to continue reporting to the state. Unfortunately, MDA continues to spend time and precious resources requesting and collecting these very same reports. In other words, there is no money for 4-Hers, but there is still funding for personnel to continue to press fairs to prepare and send in these reports.

Therefore be it resolved:

> We call on our state representatives to restore funding to county and state fairs. But, if they do not restore funding to the fairs then the reporting requirements to the state should also be suspended until such time that funding is restored.

Title - Deer Baiting

Recently the Michigan Department of Natural Resources rescinded their ban on the baiting of deer. We believe there should still be some rules concerning the quantity and density of the feed. It is our hope that the use of bait by hunters will help increase the number of deer harvested.

Therefore be it resolved:

> We support the lifting of the deer baiting ban. We do still believe that the amount of food product in anyone spot should be limited and the product spread in a wide area, not placed in deep piles encourage deer to congregate close together and possible spread diseases

Title - No room for Russian Boar

Several game ranches have imported Russian Boar into Michigan for the purposes of hunting them. Unfortunately, some of these animals have managed to escape captivity and are now in the process of populating the surrounding country side. There is no agency who currently has jurisdiction over the inter- and intra state transportation of these animals and they are possible sources of diseases that could devastate the swine industry in Michigan.

Therefore be it resolved:

> Russian Boar is declared an invasive species in Michigan. The transport and/or possession of these animals should be made illegal.

Title - Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Districts

Conservation districts in Michigan provide important support services to our state's number two industry, agriculture. Budget cutting at both the state and county level is resulting in severe curtailing of Conservation District programs in many areas. Governments are always looking to new ways to stimulate economic development. Conservation districts already provide services that result in local economic development.

Therefore be it resolved:

> Conservation district funding by the state be reinstated to at least minimum of $20,000 per year per district and local government support needs to be maintained at least at current levels if continued economic growth, especially rural areas is to continue.

National Resolutions

Title - Drivers' Licenses for Tractor Drivers?

The National Highway Transportation and Safety Board at the direction of the Obama administration has begun consideration of changing current policy which allows individual states to set the licensing rules for agricultural truck and tractor drivers. If this policy were changed it could result in drivers of farm tractors to obtain a commercial drivers license to go from field to field using road ways.

Therefore be it resolved:

> The policy of allowing states to set their own rules for licensing requirements for agricultural drivers is continued. Traffic and road conditions vary too much state by state for the federal government to set these rules effectively