County Farm Bureau policy development committees are rolling up their sleeves and diving into the annual process of crafting resolutions that guide Michigan Farm Bureau’s legislative and regulatory work year-round. To support member engagement, a variety of helpful resources are available.
“Our grassroots policy development process works because it reflects the voices of our diverse membership,” said Emily Reinart, Michigan Farm Bureau grassroots policy outreach specialist. “No matter how much time you have to give, your ideas and involvement help shape the future of Michigan agriculture.”
Once compiled, hundreds of resolutions from Michigan’s 65 county Farm Bureaus will be considered by a 21-member state-level policy development committee. The final slate of policies is then considered by voting delegates at MFB’s annual meeting, Dec. 2-4 in Grand Rapids.
To keep fueling your valuable local conversations, here’s a quick refresher on all the resources at your disposal:
Emerging issue briefs
Developed annually by Farm Bureau staff, these briefs raise awareness of current challenges and opportunities facing the food and agriculture sector. They’re designed to help spark discussion and generate policy ideas. The latest issue briefs cover:
- Agricultural workforce
- Constitutional convention ballot proposal
- Farmland preservation
- Pesticide regulation
- Ranked choice voting ballot proposal
- Trade and tariffs
- Transportation funding
- Veterinary feed directive
- USDA staffing challenges
In addition, both the 2025 Michigan Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau Federation policy books are available online to explore, search and download.
If any of these topics — or others — strike a chord, here’s how to get involved:
Submit an idea online
The MFB website features a policy submission form available year-round. You can use it to:
- Propose an amendment to existing policy,
- Suggest new policy language, or
- Recommend deletion of language.
Submissions are automatically shared with your county’s policy development committee chair for further review and discussion.
Join a local committee
Serving on your county Farm Bureau’s policy development committee is a meaningful way to contribute your ideas and hear from fellow members. The process varies by county — some host large group meetings by district, others hold smaller gatherings or conduct their work mostly via email.
To learn more about how your county handles policy development, contact your county Farm Bureau office, reach out to your MFB regional manager, or connect with Emily Reinart at 517-679-5337.
Share Story
Article Tags
