Michigan Farm Bureau recently announced the formation of a seven-member committee to explore the concept of a self-funded alternative to traditional crop insurance. With roots in the organization’s member-driven policy process, several county Farm Bureaus supported the idea that was eventually brought before the MFB Board of Directors last fall.

Serving on the Self-funded Crop Insurance Committee are:

• Jim Bardenhagen – Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau
• Mitch Bigelow – Bay County Farm Bureau
• Erin Humm – Gratiot County Farm Bureau  
• Trever Meachum – Van Buren County Farm Bureau
• Paul Pridgeon – Branch County Farm Bureau
• Dave Rupprecht – Tuscola County Farm Bureau   
• Eric Voisinet – Clinton County Farm Bureau
• Roger Betz – MSU Extension
• Brenda Szach – Farm Bureau Insurance

Pridgeon, who serves as Young Farmer Representative on the MFB Board of Directors, will chair the committee.

“The committee’s purpose is to explore the development of an alternative crop insurance initiative that is self-funded and tax-exempt,” said MFB Field Crops Specialist Theresa Sisung. “The committee will research this concept by speaking with both state and national crop insurance experts before recommending whether or not this type of program should be further considered or develop.”

Sisung added that the group will report their findings to the MFB Board of Directors by Aug. 1 and submit a final report to county Farm Bureaus by Sept. 1.