Legislative Accomplishments

Farm Bureau members work year-round to implement grassroots policy for the benefit of the agriculture industry and likewise, to oppose initiatives that would harm the agriculture industry.

Over the past 12 months, Farm Bureau was successful in advocating on the following issues that were signed into law:

State Issues

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed H.B. 4234 into law at Smuts Farms making $15 million in low-interest loans available for farmers.

Low Interest Loan Program

Following an unprecedented cool and wet spring, $15 million in state funds was made available through the Agricultural Disaster Loan Origination Program.

Directing the funds to lending institutions enabled them to provide farm loan interest rate reductions to help producers keep their businesses viable during a very challenging time.

Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Time

Farm Bureau supported changes to the minimum wage and paid sick leave laws that benefit Michigan farmers and employers as well as recognizes the seasonality of some agricultural employment.

Wetlands Reforms

Farm Bureau supported amendments to the state’s wetlands law to improve clarity and provide certainty when landowners need to know whether waters or wetlands are regulated, and how to better work through the permitting process.

Commercial Truck Traffic

Farm Bureau supported legislation that excludes agricultural vehicles from local ordinances prohibiting commercial truck traffic.

Rule-making Limitations

Farm Bureau supported legislation limiting the state's ability to adopt a rule more stringent than federal regulations.

Federal Issues

Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill represented Farm Bureau members successfully advocating for:

Improvements to commodity and dairy programs,
Preservation of crop insurance,
Continued access to vital research for our specialty crop sector,
Continued emphasis on conservation programs,
Maintaining critical export and foreign market trade assistance, and
Greater emphasis on broadband.