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1911–1920 of 3135 results

Sugar Industry #34

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Michigan Farm Bureau supports efforts to minimize negative impacts to the U.S. sugar industry from trade agreements.

We support:

Basing sugar imports on total sugar content, regardless of its refinement level upon entry into the United States.
Domestic sugar production allotments being reallocated to current production trends.
The early harvest period for sugarbeets in Michigan ending on October 20 for crop insurance purposes.
The USDA Risk Management Agency using recoverable white sugar per ton instead of percent sugar for determining Actual Production History for Michigan growers.

Agriculture

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Sheep Industry #33

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We believe the sheep industry will provide a substantial source of income for Michigan farmers, with proper leadership and research.

We support:

Developing and researching new uses for wool and new convenient lamb products for consumers.
Including lamb prices in market reports.
Researching lethal and non-lethal methods of predator control, such as adoption of a "toxic collar" program.
Funding for an indemnification program for losses from predators.

We urge sheep owners to participate in the National Scrapie Eradication Program.

Agriculture

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Michigan State University #42

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In 1855, the Michigan Legislature passed Public Act 130 which provided for the establishment of the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. Michigan Agricultural College was the first college in the United States to offer agriculture courses for credit. Today, Michigan State University (MSU) is recognized as a leader in higher learning and agricultural research, extension and youth development. To maintain this status, we support the following:

Expanded utilization of current farmland assets on campus at MSU with the goal of no net loss of farmland/farm and agriculture education facilities.
State funding for MSU placing it in a comparable academic and financial status with other distinguished land grant research universities.
MSU to publish a strategic plan for the future of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) that meets the needs of students and farmers in Michigan.
The CANR and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)'s efforts to provide a strong foundation for educating individuals involved in agriculture at the state, national, and global levels. We urge these colleges to work closely with stakeholders, including producers, to provide relevant curriculum to the students while addressing the research, resource, and informational needs of the agricultural industry.
A higher rate of CVM graduates to address the shortage of large animal veterinarians practicing in Michigan.
MSU forming partnerships with affected farmers and state agencies to research PFAS soil contamination and how the land can be safely used and mitigated for continued agricultural use.
The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Efforts to increase the number of graduates certified to teach at state approved agriculture, food & natural resources career and technical education (CTE) programs.
Re-establishing the Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications bachelor’s degree.
Programs and policies to increase enrollment of students in agricultural degree programs.
Incorporation of agricultural literacy in programs preparing elementary and secondary teachers in other degree areas.
Students’ ability to apply directly to the CANR and CVM, not the University as a whole.
CANR and CVM expanding their recruitment efforts within the state, including efforts to work through existing organizations to promote educational and career opportunities.
Encouraging students to apply in the spring of their junior year of high school to CANR, and to CVM for veterinary nursing.
Reestablishing the MSU CVM stakeholder advisory committee.
Reestablishing/filling the MSU Extension (MSUE) equine position in CVM and CANR.
CANR and CVM making a concerted and focused effort recruiting students from FFA chapters, 4-H programs and agricultural businesses in Michigan.
MSU’s Institute of Agriculture Technology (IAT), a two-year agricultural technology program which provides a valuable service to Michigan agriculture and should be recognized as a highlight of the CANR.
Improvements to the MSU IAT program to better serve the needs of students, employers, businesses, industry and consumers.
MSU IAT credits being allowed to fully transfer into four-year programs at MSU.
Continued expansion of partnerships with community colleges and other four-year institutions throughout the state to increase development of MSU IAT career tracks offered by the CANR.
A more realistic financial performance requirement from the university administration for the farms based upon the realities of the real-world farming business while working in the university setting.

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and AgBioResearch (ABR)

MSUE and ABR must work closely with production agriculture, agribusiness and other research entities to conduct research and disseminate the results. This outreach should focus on prioritized industry needs.

We support:

Increasing state and federal funding for MSUE and ABR, to maintain historical high standards of agricultural research and outreach programs.
Funding for Project GREEEN, including additional funding for three to five-year projects.
A re-emphasis and expedited hiring process for filling MSUE coordinator and instructor positions and research-related faculty positions. This should address the emerging needs and priority issues of the production agriculture industry.
MSUE considering years of applied career experience in lieu of a master’s/bachelor’s degree as an alternate avenue to recruit top-tier applicants into MSUE educator and 4-H program coordinator/instructor positions.
Public posting of administrative level positions to find the most qualified candidates.
The research/extension specialist program on and off campus to provide direct contact with stakeholders invested in field-applied research.
A focus on core agricultural programs.
MSUE 4-H youth programs and encourage Michigan Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus to assist in state and local 4-H activities. We recognize the educational efforts and impact of youth experiences in animal and plant science projects.
MSUE plans for 4-H staffing and programming involving volunteer stakeholders as they are critical to program success.
MFB continuing its partnership with the 4-H Capitol Experience. The partnership will encourage students to participate in a high-quality youth leadership experience, with continued support from county Farm Bureaus.
The formation of an advisory board of MFB members to guide MSUE agricultural staffing plans and programs.
MSU continuing to share financial information regarding investments in agricultural programming at the university and within ABR and MSUE programs in order to facilitate stakeholder partnerships and better support research faculty.

University and Industry Collaboration

To strengthen relationships between MSU and Farm Bureau, we encourage:

MSU, MSUE, and ABR to partner when appropriate with county Farm Bureaus to promote MSU CANR and CVM to prospective students.
Attendance and participation between county Farm Bureaus and MSU staff/faculty at respective activities.
County and regional MSUE personnel attending county Farm Bureau board meetings on a regular basis.
Fostering relationships between MSU IAT, community colleges and county Farm Bureaus.
Promotion and support of Collegiate Farm Bureau activities at MSU and MSU IAT community college programs by county Farm Bureaus and MFB.
Agriculture representation on the MSU Board of Trustees.
Greater Farm Bureau and farmer representation on the MSUE/ABR stakeholder council, CANR, and department stakeholder advisory committees.
An emphasis on filling on and off-campus vacant teaching positions in a timely manner.
MFB to continue to meet with the leadership of MSU to discuss the critical importance of the land grant mission to Michigan agriculture.
MFB continued partnership with other agriculture industry leaders to work with leadership at MSU to reevaluate the university’s educational and outreach programs and refocus the university’s efforts on core programs directly or indirectly related to agriculture.
MFB collaborating with MSU to create a committee to develop recommendations for alternatives, in addition to grower check offs, to fund university agriculture faculty start-up packages.
MFB collaborating with MSU in the development of tools/training programs to address the agricultural labor/on farm training needs of current and future farm employees.
MSU explore continuing education in farm stress and rural mental health for professionals working in mental health and public service.
Exploring options to develop a center within MSU CANR dedicated to agriculture technology advancements, including artificial intelligence, drones, field sensors and emerging fields.

Education

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Agriscience, Food, and Natural Resources Education & the FFA Organization #39

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Michigan Farm Bureau commends the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Office of Career and Technical Education on its support and recognition of food and agriculture as a greater than $100 billion industry in the state through the adoption of the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Cluster. This cluster enables future agriculture leaders to obtain foundational knowledge helping shape their careers and promote the sustainability of the agriculture industry.

Michigan’s 100 plus Agriscience, Food and Natural Resources Education (AFNRE) programs and FFA programs are important to the future success of Michigan agriculture. These programs develop future leadership in the agriculture industry and many programmatic and leadership opportunities for non-farm students to learn about and understand agriculture, natural resources and the environment.

AFNRE and Michigan FFA chapters have been supported for years by local school districts, added-cost funding administered by the MDE, federal Perkins dollars, and FFA Foundation funds, including the Glassbrook FFA Endowment. These appropriations are essential for public school districts to retain AFNRE and the FFA as program priorities, and as an incentive to expand these programs into other school districts.

We support:

Expanding and creating new junior high/middle school and high school AFNRE programs and FFA chapters as vital tools for educating young people, providing career and technical training and development of leaders to work in careers related to Michigan’s agricultural industry.
Agriscience and natural resources courses fulfilling the criteria and being recognized as a science credit by all high schools, colleges and universities in Michigan.
Providing regional administrators, local district superintendents, principals and counselors information on AFRNE curriculum requirements so they can encourage student participation.
The MDE adequately funding AFNRE and career and technical student organization programs to provide educational and career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources because added-cost funding available is declining.
Retaining the word agriculture in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster title.
Reporting information regarding graduates, or completers, from agriscience and natural resources programs within the state to increase added-cost funding for each student enrolled.
Instructors taking an active role in the information gathering and reporting process.
MFB and county Farm Bureaus assisting in state and local FFA activities.
FFA alumni associations and their efforts to strengthen agriscience and natural resource education across the state and nation.
AFNRE emergency certification programs and hiring retired ag teachers to fill these positions without retirement penalties, due to the lack of qualified people available to lead these programs.
Considering student loan payoff or scholarship programs to help promote AFNRE programs through private or public partnerships.
Continued activities of private and public companies and organizations, like those of AgroLiquid, St. Johns, which provide an educational opportunity to the public to learn and experience the role, importance, and economic impact of agriculture on food production for generations to come.
Access to and financial support of agriscience programs and FFA chapters in all Michigan schools.
Developing an agriculture credential that high school AFNRE students could use to gain employment in the agriculture and natural resources field. The development of this credential should include input from businesses, teachers and educational specialists to ensure the credential represents the skills learned through the program in a way that's meaningful for employers.
Utilizing funding for agriculture internships and apprenticeships through the National Apprenticeship Act.

Education

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Educational Reforms #40

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We believe Michigan children should have an equal opportunity for quality education. Education at all levels must meet the constantly changing needs of society.

We support:

Requiring state foundation grant aid reimbursement be determined annually by June 1.
Funding special education programs for teacher training, children with special needs and gifted children.
Fully funding new or revised state mandated programs.
Funding for state mandated programs should not decrease the basic pupil grant for other students.
Ensuring the per pupil foundation funding grant follows the student to the school of their choice.
Requiring state school aid funding to reflect current year enrollment based on average student attendance and eliminate official count days.
Public schools, private schools, charter schools and home schooling.
Local school boards having the ability to establish policies such as starting and ending dates, classroom hours in a school year, personnel management, student discipline, and use of local facilities and resources.
Collaboration between the local school district and the intermediate school district to establish an integrated calendar.
The utilization of local Farm Bureau members and organizational resources to assist in reviewing classroom curriculum for accurate information concerning agriculture before its adoption.
Michigan Farm Bureau continue to promote and develop Michigan Agriculture Education Units to increase agricultural literacy among K-12 students.
Colleges and universities offering dual credit opportunities for high school students,
Agriscience instructor certification, and
Standardized programs in specialty fields like agriculture to increase occupational readiness and employability of students.
Consolidated districts maintaining existing FFA and agriscience programs.
Review of the foundation funding grant for education.
Fiscal aid, limited to the rate of inflation, to districts operating under caps. School districts must exercise fiscal responsibility and look for efficiencies to maximize the use of financial resources.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, (STEM) education in Pre-K-12 and acknowledge agricultural education as an effective vehicle to deliver this programming. We encourage county Farm Bureaus to highlight opportunities for school districts to meet STEM requirements through agricultural concepts.
Funding opportunities for elementary schools like grants or scholarship programs to source agriculture education resources such as the FARM Science Programs.
County Farm Bureaus working with school districts to increase Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) flexibility acceptance. MMC standards must be balanced to recognize the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and provide more opportunities for students to enroll in vocational training programs and mentor-based programs.
A well-rounded education containing basic curriculum, including college-prep or vocational/technical courses.
School counselors and faculty informing students about opportunities in vocational training, agriculture, and related fields.
Counselors’ continuing education courses encompassing CTE opportunities.

Education

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2024 Year-End Legislative updates

Several bills of interest to Michigan Farm Bureau were considered in the House and Senate’s final workdays.

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service – Great Lakes Field Office #37

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The agricultural industry has developed many mechanisms for reporting the size and progress of crops and other agricultural commodities. Most widely adopted by the industry is the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service program (NASS). To ensure accuracy of these reports, farmers should provide NASS full cooperation. We will vigorously defend the confidentiality of individual farm information. Michigan Farm Bureau will continue working with NASS to improve and simplify information gathering, such as exploring the use of producer information already reported to the Farm Service Agency. We encourage the use of modern technology, including satellite imagery, on-farm electronic data, and a streamlined data collection system.

We recommend USDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) adequately fund their full portion of this cost-share service. Accurate and timely third-party statistics are essential to the further development of Michigan agriculture, finding new markets, and attracting new processing facilities. We support cooperative agreements with Michigan State University, MDARD and private sources for funding state-specific statistical analysis.

We encourage producers to cooperate with NASS in conducting the U.S. Census of Agriculture. We support distribution of the data to producers in a timely and usable format.

We support developing an accurate system to calculate county yields based on actual test results or scientific data considering irrigated vs. dry land yields and seed corn production.

Agriculture

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Broadband #43

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Rural access to broadband internet service is a major factor impacting the ability of rural Michigan residents to compete and participate in the economy. A comprehensive policy is vital to provide statewide universal broadband access that is equitable in cost and quality in rural and urban settings.

We support:

Allowing county, township or municipalities to utilize special assessment districts to expand broadband.
Tax credits or other incentives for residents purchasing internet services for educational or employment purposes.
Encouraging federal, state, and local municipalities to allow public and private internet providers easy and affordable access to build and attach equipment to public-owned communication towers, water towers, and ground.
Public-private partnerships developing cooperative, alternative funding measures to expand broadband in underserved areas.
Internet providers taking advantage of the available state and federal government loans and grants.
Continued cooperation between the Michigan Public Service Commission, broadband providers, and groups such as Connect Michigan to expand unlimited high-speed internet access in rural and underserved areas.
Publicly available, well-defined/site-specific high-speed internet coverage maps.
Allowing municipalities to create service thresholds when negotiating broadband franchise territories.
Requiring electric utilities to allow access to their power poles for the hanging of high-speed fiber-optic lines.
Encouraging rural electric co-ops to continue expanding broadband offerings.
A report from the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office on the progress of new broadband technology deployed through state and federal money.

We oppose granting exclusive franchises to broadband providers in municipalities without guaranteed minimum service.

Energy & Technology

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Wheat Industry #38

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Wheat plays an important role in Michigan's economy with half a million acres planted annually.

We encourage coordination of industry-needs, research priorities and processor requirements through the Michigan Wheat Program, ultimately leading to profitability.

We support:

Michigan Farm Bureau collaborating with representatives of the crop insurance industry, wheat millers, and the Michigan Agri-Business Association to discuss transparency in wheat pricing and statewide standards for wheat sampling.
Continued education and certification efforts to improve sampling and testing procedures to ensure accurate and consistent falling number and Vomitoxin testing results.
Continuation of the wheat checkoff program.
The Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network, which evaluates the production practices of wheat producers, and we encourage stakeholders to help fund this research.

Risk Management Agency (RMA)

We commend RMA for recognizing results of the falling number test when determining quality loss adjustments for white wheat. However, the coverage must be expanded to include all classes of wheat, and discount factors must be comparable to the level of discounts experienced by producers in the marketplace.

We also recommend RMA explore developing a new insurance policy recognizing the differentiation between wheat classes.

We encourage RMA to standardize wheat planting deadlines with the Farm Service Agency to reflect current climatic conditions.

Agriculture

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Michigan Ag Council #41

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The Michigan Ag Council (MAC) is comprised of more than 15 agriculture related groups, including Michigan Farm Bureau. The efforts of MAC are needed because it is imperative for stakeholders to write the narrative of Michigan agriculture. Through its collaborative structure, MAC promotes a positive image for agriculture and takes an assertive, proactive approach in telling the story of modern agriculture as a result of technological advancements.

We encourage MAC to expand national and regional collaboration.

Funding for the MAC is critical; to be successful, it needs to come from a variety of sources focused on Michigan including commodity groups, financial institutions, food processors and retailers. We encourage county Farm Bureaus and individual members to financially support MAC. A mix of financing for this joint effort will allow MAC to do more positive education and promotion about agriculture, and multiply its ability to reach consumers at all levels.

Education

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