Farm Bureau members work year-round to implement grassroots policy for the benefit of the agriculture industry and oppose initiatives that would harm it. Following are some of our recent successes:
Farm Bureau supported legislation enabling career and technical education students, like those enrolled in agriscience programs, to permanently count those courses toward the state’s high school graduation requirements. The amendments ensure high school students can choose the best course of study for them to learn, graduate, prepare for successful careers and help meet our economy’s growing demand for skilled talent.
Farm Bureau supported state and federal COVID-19 response efforts and proactively advocated on behalf of agriculture on countless fronts including government guidance, PPE assistance, state and federal funding, and more. Additionally, the organization and industry advocated for funding through the federal Payment Protection Program and Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Michigan Farm Bureau, individual farms, agribusinesses, commodity partners and other stakeholders continue to combat government overreach through a legal challenge of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s permit for large livestock operations.
The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development removed zoning provisions from the site selection and farm market GAAMPs. Strongly supported by Michigan Farm Bureau, the change protects the Right to Farm Act’s integrity by using science-based information to determine siting for livestock farms and helps ensure local governments cannot attempt to prevent new livestock farms.
Farm Bureau successfully supported efforts leading to passage and implementation of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to modernize trade and expand agricultural export markets.
Farm Bureau members worked to support AgriPac-endorsed candidates in the 2020 primary and general elections. Our designated Friends of Agriculture experienced a 93% success rate.
More than 11,000 advocates are enrolled in Farm Feed Texting Program. In a year’s time, these individuals made more than 121,000 connections with legislators and government leaders on issues of importance to agriculture through Farm Bureau action requests.
Farm Bureau members attending the 2020 Lansing Legislative Seminar had a once in a lifetime experience, hearing from Vice President Mike Pence and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.