Energy efficiency, conservation and increased utilization of renewable resources are unmistakably important to the future of Michigan agriculture, and ultimately to your farm’s bottom line. And while Michigan Farm Bureau’s 159-page member-developed policy book contains a mere seven pages on energy & technology topics — they pack a punch and clearly outline the organization’s positions on the issues.

What isn’t always clear, though, is how energy opportunities, challenges and technology improvements apply to your unique farm business.

If you’re looking to explore this topic more, join the Michigan Farm Bureau Hitching Post at 7 p.m. on March 23: From Energy Efficiency to Renewables: Powering your Farm for the Future.

Register for the Zoom meeting to gain access to our expert panel, including:

• MSU Extension Educator Charles Gould. Gould will share his energy expertise that for years has helped farmers and agribusinesses be sustainable now and in the future.
• Midland County Farm Bureau leader Nathan Clarke. Clarke will share his personal experience of having recently installed solar panels on his property. He and his family raise approximately 2,000 acres of corn, soybeans, dry beans and pickling cucumbers near Coleman.
• St. Clair County Farm Bureau leader Jim Reid. An early adopter of solar panel installation, Reid has progressively sought energy saving practices to implement on their dairy farm. Reid Dairy Farm was also the 2010 recipient of the MFB Ecology Leadership Award.
• MFB Policy & Regulatory Specialist Tess Van Gorder, as moderator. Prior to joining MFB, Van Gorder worked at ENGIE Insight, an energy and sustainability management firm out of St. Paul, Minnesota. She now works with farmers and stakeholder groups on environmental issues and solutions.

“Participants in our virtual session will have the ability to ask questions ranging from how to start an on-farm project to energy technology advancements and from financial considerations to implementation challenges,” Van Gorder said. “We want to allow the participants to determine where the conversation goes based on the answers they’re looking for and information they need.”

Follow the Hitching Post

In addition to the Zoom meeting, the Hitching Post series will be livestreamed on the MFB Facebook page. 

If you’re unable to participate March 23 but are still interested in the content, all events will be recorded and posted to the MFB YouTube Channel.