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2008 Policy Book
First | Previous | Next | Last | 2008 Index | Policy Book Archive#5 AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION AND VALUE-ADDED INITIATIVES
We strongly support individual and cooperative efforts by producers to improve income with processing and marketing methods which add value to raw farm products while maintaining food safety.
Continuing structural changes in the agricultural processing industry have adversely affected many traditional supply/demand relationships between producers and their buyers. Value-added initiatives allow for opportunities to deal with these changes and keep the agricultural industry profitable.
We also support the efforts of the Partnership for Product Agriculture, consisting of representatives from commodity organizations, Michigan State University (MSU), Michigan Farm Bureau, nonprofit organizations, agribusiness associations, private consultants and local, state and federal governmental agencies. We commend recent accomplishments of the partnership including the creation of the Product Center at MSU, the development of incubator kitchens in Huron and Oceana Counties, and the receipt of a $1 million USDA grant to establish the MSU Product Center. Future objectives of the Partnership should be to:
- Act as facilitators and an information resource for any individual or group of producers interested in pursuing a value-added project.
- Pursue state and federal grants to support value-added activities in Michigan.
- Encourage federal, state and local governments to actively promote this concept as had been done elsewhere in the country (e.g., incentives for biofuels, agricultural renaissance zones, tax abatements and grants).
- Act as a liaison to expedite the expansion of existing operations or the start-up of value-added projects in the beginning phase.
MFB shall encourage support and, where possible and prudent, coordinate the formation of producer alliances and cooperatives.
We support efforts to maintain and build a strong agricultural processing industry in the State. To achieve this goal, we recommend existing and prospective processors be given more incentives to stay or build in Michigan, including industrial facility exemption options, tax breaks and regulatory reform/relief, and ample access to necessary inputs such as investment capital, labor, energy and raw products.
We support increased funding for, and agricultural representation on, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to better serve the needs of agriculture and the food industry. We support Michigan Department of Agriculture authority and/or oversight over the granting of MEDC funds for agricultural development activity.
We support the development of an Internet marketplace for farmers to feature Michigan-based commodities and value-added products. We support a coordinated effort between the agriculture industry and controllers of publicly owned lands (e.g., county parks, rest areas, car pool lots, parking lots) to facilitate farmers' marketing of Michigan-grown products to consumers at these locations.
Value-added farm ventures, such as processing and agri-tourism, are growing segments of Michigan agriculture. These ventures are legitimate farm enterprises and should be entitled to all farm-related advantages and protection provided by the State, and have legal protection modeled after Right to Farm legislation.
We support the availability of agricultural renaissance zones to the entire agricultural industry and that each industry be evaluated separately as to their qualifications.
We support additional funding of the Julian-Stille Value-Added Development Act and the development of a permanent funding source.
We encourage the use of grant programs for industry segments that typically find it difficult to secure loans due to being perceived as high risk ventures.
We support the establishment of a State of Michigan low interest loan program to fund qualified value-added ventures.
We support a review of regulations to ensure viability of the agricultural processing industry in Michigan.
