Allison Eicher has a boulder-sized chip on her shoulder.
She must, she says now, because farmers need someone defending them against federal overregulation, bureaucracy and red tape. Issues like Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) permitting or mandatory state COVID testing for migrant farmworkers. Solutions that can only be found by sticking up to the big guys, she tells Michigan Farm News.
This month, the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Board of Directors named Eicher its next general counsel and secretary. She will take over for Andy Kok, who retires in September.
Eicher, who started as a legal intern at Michigan Farm Bureau in 2010, has “always rooted for the underdog,” she says, the Michigan farmer.
“I love the fact that I'm able to continue serving them and helping them through their legal issues and support the organization,” adds Eicher, a Shiawassee County Farm Bureau member.
“There’s a little bit of a chip on my shoulder — everybody underestimates me, and I think the world underestimates the value that our farmer members provide. I think the state does clearly with their overregulation, and I think the public does because they don't realize what it is that our farmers do and where our food comes from.”
Two legal issues in particular Eicher helped with during her time at MFB are CAFO NPDES permitting, which pertain to large livestock operations, and a 2020 farmworkers complaint filed against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) challenging an emergency order mandating COVID-19 testing of only migrant farmworkers.
“Every time we have a win, it seems to be followed by a loss, but the industry hasn't given up, and I think that just shows the resilience of our members in the ag industry,” Eicher says. “As far the MDHHS order, it required all migrant workers be tested to work. They were the only group required to be COVID tested in order to work, and as soon as that order dropped, we were on the phone retaining counsel and coming up with strategies.
“We ultimately lost, which was unfortunate, but it felt good to go and stand up, not only for the industry, but for these workers who were being targeted by the state unnecessarily.”
In her new role, Eicher will work closely with the board of directors, officers, chief executives, company directors, and all levels of management to counsel, advise, and provide legal guidance. She will be responsible for carrying out the in-house legal functions of Michigan Farm Bureau and its affiliated companies and will direct the development and operations of our corporate-wide human resource management program.
Eicher will also serve on the Officers Committee, Retirement Committee, and Insurance Investment Committee, and help the board of directors and top management develop long-range goals.
Previously, Eicher served as an attorney for MFB before being promoted in 2020 to assistant general counsel and assistant secretary, the roles in which she currently serves.
Eicher is a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Law and has her undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management, also from MSU. She resides in Corunna with her two sons, Austin and Evan, and their labradoodle Winnie.
According to Kok, who’s been general counsel of Michigan Farm Bureau since 2011, Eicher loves this organization. He will work closely with Eicher during the transitional period.
“She has worked for and with our department for the past 16 years and when she didn’t work for us, she even served as a delegate to State Annual Meeting as a regular member,” Kok said.
“She is highly respected in the legal profession both here in Michigan as well as nationally. She is going to be a great General Counsel for the Family of Companies.”