On Friday, April 25, dozens of Farm Bureau members, legislators, their staff, and representatives from community organizations met at Robinette’s Apple Haus for our annual Kent County Farm Bureau Legislative Breakfast. We gathered to talk about what farmers are experiencing as they grow and process the food, fiber, fuel, and floriculture we rely on them for—and about how elected officials can be a solution instead of a roadblock.
Over half of our discussion revolved around farmers' and legislators' frustrations with bureaucracy and ever-expanding departmental rules: https://www.michfb.com/about/news-media/battling-bureaucracy-legislative-breakfast
High Stakes
Kent County Farm Bureau Board Member John Schut reminded everyone that regulatory burdens and frustrations can become serious stressors with serious consequences, including suicide. Board President Bruce Klamer pointed out that every kind of farmer worries about different things at night. Jeffrey Wheeler noted that, nationally, we lose around 28,000 family farms every year. Klamer spoke about the difficulty of keeping the family farm in the next generation when they don’t see enough money in the farm.
But Board Member Annie Link had a rallying cry: “Our farm has to be profitable so I can steal my kids away from other industries. I think we do have hope. We have a chance at the next election. What are we going to do?”
What We Can Do
Alexandria Johnston, Executive Director of the Kent County Youth Fair, let us know about the work that they’re doing to support agriculture:
We have a lot of strong family farms here and we want to see the youth who are coming through our programs continue to go back to the family farm. So what are we doing to encourage that? Through our work at the Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan, not only do we host the Kent County Youth Fair—every single one of you know the benefits that come from that—but we’re working with the Kent Intermediate School District to figure out what their programming looks like for youth who are upcoming in the agriculture industry. That’s one of the most exciting initiatives we have because we can take our place and be that space for the students who are coming to learn, whether it be lab space or outside learning. There are schools that do not have those opportunities. We want to reach those students so they will be able to choose to go back into agriculture, or at least be an advocate for the agriculture industry. We are working towards not only being a regional host but a national host for livestock exhibitions, equine shows. We want to be a venue space across every component of agriculture—and we all know how vast it is. One of the most important parts to me, as the Executive Director, is building community. We’re surrounded by fields and we love it. Every day I get to talk to that farmer and that producer and make sure he knows that support is there because we are part of his community. That goes for everyone here, for Kent County Farm Bureau. You are always welcome.
Geordie Moeller told the group about New City Neighbors, which has bought several acres of land in and outside of Grand Rapids for a community supported agriculture operation that hires urban high schoolers to work on the farms and in the café—educating people about ag careers.
MFB Legislative Counsel Rebecca Park reminded us that MAEAP (Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program) is up for re-authorization. It is a voluntary and free program that works with farmers to prevent or minimize their agricultural pollution risks. Sen. Brinks acknowledged that MAEAP is always on their radar.
We are grateful to the many legislators who were there in person to meet with our members and answer questions: U.S. Cong. Hillary Scholten, MI Senate Majority Leader Sen. Winnie Brinks, MI Sen. Mark Huizenga, MI Sen. Rick Outman, MI House Majority Floor Leader Bryan Posthumus, MI Rep. Luke Meerman, and MI Rep. Stephen Wooden. And for those staff members who represented their office: Abby Klomparens of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, Josiah Bear of U.S. Cong. John Moolenaar, Phil Eckert of MI Rep. Gina Johnsen, and Steve Martin of MI Rep. Carol Glanville.
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RESOURCES:
Join Farm Bureau's grassroots policy development process: If you have specific suggestions for how to improve policies and laws about agriculture, join the Policy Development Committee to help craft policy recommendations to be voted on by your peers at the county, state, and federal levels. Contact the county office to get involved: 616-784-1092 / [email protected].
Contact your legislators: Find out who your elected officials are here. If you are a Farm Bureau member you can also contact the county office for that information: 616-784-1092 / [email protected].
Join FARM FEED: Michigan Farm Bureau will send you a text message when there is an important issue affecting agriculture. It provides a quick and easy way for your voice to be heard by your legislators. Text MIACT to the number 52886 to join. After joining, follow the link, enter your information, and submit the prewritten comments provided or edit them to personalize.
MAEAP Certification: There are a number of different certifications based on the kind of operation you have, but the program is confidential (guaranteed by state law) and voluntary. Contact them for more information on how you can improve environmental practices on your farm: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/environment/maeap
Online peer-to-peer support: Togetherall is an anonymous peer-to-peer online community that empowers farmers and their families to get and give support. Using an anonymous profile, connect and share in a safe space with others who understand. Join the Agricultural Group! Whatever’s on your mind, you can access Togetherall in minutes, 24/7. The community is moderated around the clock by real, live, licensed clinicians. Benefit from self-assessments and courses to help you understand how you are feeling. https://togetherall.com/en-us/ Choose "I'd like to search for my organization" and input "Farm Family Wellness Alliance."
MFB Stress Resources: Michigan Farm Bureau has put together links to dozens of resources here: https://www.michfb.com/prepare-prevent/safety/farm-safety/stress-mental-health