National Policy

1. GMO Research
Be it resolved, that Washtenaw County Farm Bureau encourage public and private efforts to do more research on non GMO seed.

2. Patented Seed
Issues continue relating to the prohibition of planting personally grown seed that originates from patented seed.

We believe that a farmer should have the right to plant seed he has grown if he pays the technology fee to the company who owns the patent on the seed.

3. Market Oriented Farm Policy
We support a market oriented farm policy that does not use subsidies to encourage production of crops that require high use of water and nutrients. We believe soil-building crops should be subsidized to conserve natural resources as part of a conservation plan yearly for every farm in order to comply with W.T.O. Crop rotation is important in controlling insects and disease.

4. Producer/Processor Labeling Rights
We support the rights of producers and processors who label and market their products as having been produced without the use of certain synthetic inputs.

5. Wetlands
Wetlands are generally defined as areas where standing water exists a certain number of days each year. However, many of those areas are flooded because of local drainage issues, and those lands continue producing non-wetland vegetation such as pasture grasses and hay similar to that growing on adjoining high ground.

We believe that wetlands should be defined as an area that supports only vegetation that is native and natural to wetlands, and NOT defined by standing-water days which may be the result of local drainage issues.

6. Wetland Relief
A wet area in a field 5 acres or less and no standing water after 2 weeks should be permitted to be tiled so entire field can be farmed at the same time.

7. Capital Gains Tax
In capital gains tax calculations, we support the indexing for inflation of the basis for all years since the property is purchased.

8. Estate Tax
Estate Taxes have caused the liquidation of the family farm in some situations. There is a move to repeal this tax. We feel that the Estate Tax should not be repealed; instead the exemption should be raised. To repeal the Estate Tax would only open the door to allow for the creation of some other new inheritance tax that could be worse than the current tax.

9. Income Tax
Currently, if a farmer's non-farm income exceeds fifty percent of his net income, and he pays over $600 in income tax, he has to pay an estimated quarterly income tax the following year. Be it resolved that a person who has filed a 1040F continuously shall be exempt from filing a quarterly estimated tax.

10. Monopoly
Congress, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, should strictly enforce the agricultural industry for use of the current antitrust acts (Packers & Stockyards, Clayton, and Sherman Antitrust Acts) to make sure that the current process is successful in maintaining a needed level of competition.

11. Patent Laws
We should more aggressively hold the rest of the world to respect our copyrights and patent laws, especially China

12. Trade Imbalance
Trade imbalances have reached an unprecedented high. We support efforts to bring trade imbalances to more sustainable levels.

State

13. Agri -Tourism
We support non-traditional, but increasingly important farm income enterprises, such as agri-tourism, be recognized as agricultural and therefore be given the same levels of promotion and protection as traditional agriculture

14. Daily Farming Practice Regulation
We support continued use of GAAMP to define acceptable farm management practices in the state of Michigan.

15. Farmers Market Rule Making
Whereas the number of Farmers Markets through out Michigan is increasing. The rules in each market may differ dramatically and how they change may be arbitrary depending on the Market Master or whoever is in charge. There may also be little consultation with growers, other vendors, local businesses and/or consumers which can lead to bad decisions.

Therefore be it resolved that MFB shall work with the Michigan Farmers Market association and the Direct Marketing association to come up with guidelines for rule making at farmers markets

16. Gubernatorial Appointments
Whereas the commission system that governs certain state departments has benefited the State of Michigan through improved continuity and reduced politicization of these resource-oriented Department, therefore be it resolved that Michigan Farm Bureau vigorously support the commission system that currently governs the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Education. Be it further resolved that the Department of Environmental Quality also be placed under the commission system.

17. Johne's Disease
We support a calf vaccination program.

18. Patented Seed
Issues continue relating to the prohibition of planting personally grown seed that originates from patented seed.

We believe that a farmer should have the right to plant seed he has grown if he pays the technology fee to the company who owns the patent on the seed.

19. Producer/Processor Labeling Rights
We support the rights of producers and processors who label and market their products as having been produced without the use of certain synthetic inputs.

20. Funding State and County Fairs
With agriculture being a very high income for the state of Michigan, we recommend that the state legislature fund the Michigan State Fair in Detroit and in the U.P. plus county fairs. The people attending these fairs need to know the story of Michigan agriculture. The exhibitor's adult and youth need incentives to continue exhibiting. The legislature needs to recognize the agriculture future Michigan potentially possesses. Michigan ranks 2nd only to California in agricultural diversity and is ahead of Florida.

21. Farm Insurance Adjusters
Farm Bureau should hire "farm insurance adjustors" who have knowledge about daily farm operations.

22. All Waste Entering Michigan
We oppose the importation of solid or toxic waste being brought into Michigan from other states and countries.

23. Farmland Preservation Funding
The state fund to protect farmland from development through PDR is largely un-funded. We support efforts to find a state funding mechanism.

24. PA116
Public Act 116 now recognizes the tremendous expense involved in special assessments for sewers, streetlights and water lines for farmers. Recognizing these expenses, enrollees in PA116 are protected and exempt from these special assessments.

Be it resolved that PA116 be strengthened to include protection and exemption from special assessments for road paving and all utilities

25. PDR Funding
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau encourages counties and/or townships to set up PDR programs in order to access available funds. Washtenaw County Farm Bureau would also encourage state legislators to pass, and also local residents to support legislation because the funds collected would stay and be used in their county. This would also allow for local control in managing farmland preservation.

26. State PDR Program - Farm Scoring
Farms will be scored for the state PDR program according to their merits, and the likelihood of an area developing a sustainable agricultural district whether the application originates from a county, township, or municipality will not be a factor in scoring.

27. D E Q Authority
The D E Q is exceeding its authority regarding farm exemptions. We request the state legislature to revisit the National Resource and Environmental Protection Act and direct the D E Q to give equal recognition to farmland as a natural resource as is presently given to wetlands, particularly to the maintenance of drainage.

28. Wetlands
Wetlands are generally defined as areas where standing water exists a certain number of days each year. However, many of those areas are flooded because of local drainage issues, and those lands continue producing non-wetland vegetation such as pasture grasses and hay similar to that growing on adjoining high ground.

We believe that wetlands should be defined as an area that supports only vegetation that is native and natural to wetlands, and NOT defined by standing-water days which may be the result of local drainage issues

29. Beef Cattle Education Endowment Fund
Michigan's beef industry, with the leadership of the Michigan Cattlemen's Association, has established the Beef Cattle Education Endowment Fund at Michigan State University. The purpose of the fund is to supply a sustained source of funding for MSU's beef research and teaching facilities. It will also focus on providing support for the educational opportunities offered to students in the MSU beef cattle program

We urge the Michigan Farm Bureau; its members, and all cattle producers in the state to support this effort in funding the endowment.

30. Supports for MSU Extension and AG Experiment Station
Whereas Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station generate and disseminate knowledge, technical expertise, transformational education, and other research-based resources of Michigan's land grant university to the citizens of the State of Michigan;
And whereas MSU Extension and MAES programs focus on enhancing profitability in agriculture and the green industry; encouraging responsible use of land and natural resources; building healthy communities; building healthy families, and helping youth succeed - all to promote prosperity and improve the quality of life of the people of the State of Michigan;
And whereas MSU Extension, as part of the national Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, provides local, state, federal, and international resources to our citizens by virtue of its partnership with county government through the Boards of Commissioners across the state, with Michigan government through MSU, and with the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture;
And whereas MSU Extension and MAES respond to critical issues, needs, and opportunities identified and prioritized by its citizen-based Extension Councils;
And whereas MSU Extension and MAES support the Michigan Legislature's commitment to results-oriented priorities;
And whereas increased profitability of the state's economic sectors and protection of our quality of life are priorities for all Michigan residents. And whereas MAES and MSUE have the capacity to support statewide initiatives in areas that directly relate to many of the results committees that are being established in the Senate and House.
And whereas these benefits provided by MSU Extension and MAES are consistent with and support the mission and vision of Michigan Farm Bureau.
And whereas the financial support provided to MSU Extension and MAES by the State of Michigan is leveraged and/or matched to bring federal and private funds into our state that are used to improve the quality of life and promote the prosperity of its citizens.
Therefore, Michigan Farm Bureau does hereby acknowledge and thank the Governor and Legislators of Michigan for their long-standing generous financial support of MSU Extension and MAES.
Furthermore, Michigan Farm Bureau urges the Governor and Legislators of the State of Michigan to continue to provide MSU Extension and MAES with funding to assure its continued success and to expand its ability to serve the people of the State of Michigan.

31. Promoting Farming and Education
That Michigan Farm Bureau actively seeks partnerships and opportunities to collaborate with other organizations that are dedicated to promoting farming in all of its aspects. This would include partnering in both promotional and educational activities.

32. Animal Welfare
With the agricultural producers being such a small number, we recommend continued and accelerated effort by MFB to coordinate the agricultural concept of animal welfare information to the schools, newspapers, and any media that tells our side of agriculture similar to the American Heartland Program that presents small segments of agriculture throughout the U.S.A.

33. Beverage Containers
Roadside littering and landfill issues are growing because of water bottles and other beverage containers.
Michigan currently has a ten-cent deposit on carbonated beverage containers but not on non-carbonated containers.

We believe that water bottles and alcoholic beverage containers should require a ten-cent deposit at point of purchase just like carbonated soft drink containers.

34. Capping Sales Taxes on Fuel
Whereas fuel prices continue to rise faster than the cost of living, and whereas the sales tax increases in direct proportion to the increase in the cost of fuel, and whereas these increases are a burden on all the citizens of Michigan, and whereas the farming community suffers a disproportionate burden from this increase in taxes because of the cost of trucking inputs to the farm and product to the consumer, therefore be it resolved that sales taxes on fuel will be capped at a reasonable level up to $.09 per gallon.

35. Proposal A
We support Proposal A as it is currently written; no tweaking is necessary.

36. Sales Tax
The six percent sales tax on gasoline is fair if only on base price of a gallon of gasoline. However, we understand it is applied to the gross price including Federal and State taxes. This makes a tax on a tax and that is usury.
We direct an immediate review by a study group of Michigan Farm Bureau. If it is a usury tax then immediate correction should be acted upon by appeal, legislation, or class action.

37. Use Value Taxation
Despite the implementation of Proposal A, Michigan farmland is still taxed at one of the highest tax rates in the country. Be it resolved that we support any efforts to have agriculture land taxed on its current use value, not on its best and highest potential value.

38. Regulation of Agriculture
A number of township governments and other municipalities have, or are in the process of enacting regulations that are stricter than existing state and federal regulations. Examples include broadened wetlands regulations, tree harvesting regulations, manure applications limitations, livestock numbers limitations, and fertilizer and pesticide usage.
As urban encroachment continues into agricultural areas - neighbors with non-farm interests are electing their own representatives to township and local boards. Thus production agriculture faces an increasing threat of being regulated out of business in its own hometown. Many states including Michigan have enacted the measures which say that local government shall not enact gun laws that are stricter than existing state and federal regulations. We believe a similar concept should apply to agriculture.

We believe that township or local units of government should NOT be permitted to enact regulations that are stricter than existing state or federal regulations.

39. Property Line Identification
Determining property lines have from time to time been controversial. The doctrine of adverse possession has been the rule. At times legal action has been taken. Surveyed property has no guarantee that fewer problems will arise. Legal action is often undertaken.

We believe the Doctrine of Adverse Possession should continue in property line disputes.

40. Survey Regulations
All surveys shall be required to show existing, apparent property lines such as fences, etc. This will hopefully resolve potential property line disputes with the first sale, and not allow the dispute to pass to the final army of homeowners

41. Prescription Drugs
Whereas:
The Michigan Public Health Code, by Section 17722, grants authority to the Board of Pharmacy to regulate, control, and inspect the character and standards of pharmacy practice and of drugs manufactured, distributed, prescribed, dispensed and administered or issued in this State and procure samples, and limit or prevent the sale of drugs that do not comply with this section's provisions...The Federal Food and Drug Administration endorses the regulations of state pharmacy boards to currently prohibit any return by an individual of prescription drugs and medications that have been dispensed by a pharmacy or pharmacist. Penalties for violations include loss of license, employment, or career.
Be it resolved:
Those regulations be changed to allow a pharmacist the responsibility to decide whether an unopened dispensed prescription can be returned for credit or refund.
Rationale:
Current regulations place an economic burden on the consumer, many of whom do not have insurance, and still must pay for any wrongly dispensed prescriptions.

42. Agripac
The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Political Action Committee (AgriPac) asks county candidate evaluation committee to identify candidates for public office who are "Friends of Agriculture". County committees review surveys returned by candidates prior to the August primary elections. The county Candidate Review Committees analyze local candidates and forward those recommendations to MFB.
Unfortunately, Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriPac often does not follow the suggestions submitted by counties. Reason given is that candidates who are unopposed are not endorsed in the primary election. However, we have found several unopposed candidates, in other parts of Michigan, who were in fact included on the list.
MFB is a grass roots organization and the County Candidate Review Committee is where recommendations for the "Friends of Agriculture" should be made.

Therefore be it resolved the Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac Committee should not change the endorsements of a county or multiple counties, if they are in agreement, of a candidate, recommended as a "Friends of Agriculture", whether opposed or unopposed in the primary elections.

43. Agripac Endorsements
In many cases candidates, especially in the same political party, might be equal or nearly equal in the rating process. Should the Farm Bureau-endorsed candidate lose in the primary election, Farm Bureau also loses because the winning candidate has been snubbed and may be less likely to work with Farm Bureau later on important issues.

Therefore, we recommend that Farm Bureau make NO endorsements of candidates in primary elections.

44. Consumer Understanding of Michigan Agriculture
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau urges our organization to lead a statewide agricultural campaign to increase consumer understanding the food and fiber production system in Michigan

45. Motor Carrier Fines
Motor carrier fines are currently collected for violations on public roads and highways. However, those monies collected from fines are diverted to finance libraries and other uses.

Motor carrier fines should go to the Transportation Fund for road and bridge maintenance, not diverted to non-road uses.

46. Kill Permit
We commend the DNR for issuing kill permits for animals causing crop damage and encourage continuing this policy.

Local Policy

47. Food System Economic Partnership
Agricultural production plays an important role in the economy of Washtenaw County and the state. Farmers are seeking ways to increase their profitability and looking for new ways of marketing and adding value to their products.
The Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) is a five -- county, collaborative urban and rural partnership. Its purpose is to improve the viability of the regional food and agricultural system by understanding and identifying consumer needs, wants and perceptions, and by helping farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses to improve production and marketing systems.

Therefore, be it resolved that Washtenaw County Farm Bureau supports the Food System Economic Partnership in its effort to create economic development opportunities for farmers.

48. Value Added Product
We support the development and distribution of value added farm products.

49. Replacement of Blocked/Crushed Tile
If a person/developer breaks/crushes tile so your land is not properly drained, it is their responsibility to open/replace within a month so you can continue your farming.

50. Land Use
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau supports efforts to preserve farmland in Washtenaw County without infringing on property rights of farmers.

51. Agricultural Education
In order to improve agricultural literacy in the schools, we encourage Farm Bureau members to contact school board members in their communities in show of support of Ag Education programs. Also, to contact the person in charge of curriculum development in their school district to determine what, if any, program is in place or planned to integrate agricultural literacy concepts into a K-12 program of general instruction.

52. Promoting Farming and Education
That Michigan Farm Bureau actively seeks partnerships and opportunities to collaborate with other organizations that are dedicated to promoting farming in all of its aspects. This would include partnering in both promotional and educational activities.

53. Milk Machines in Schools
Milk machines were placed in schools for milk. If schools aren't using the machines for milk then they need to do so now.

54. Reasonable Access
Due to location of a high percentage of farms not being on Class A roads, farmers are faced with paying a high cost for trucking products to and from the farm with the current road restrictions in place. Currently there is an option on the books that would allow Class A loads on Class B roads for up to five miles; this is called Reasonable Access. Be it resolved that Washtenaw County Road Commission exercise the option of Reasonable Access with the change being made to seven miles from five, to cover all roads in the County.

55. Road Safety
In the interest of providing added safety due to the need for increased visibility especially at intersections and railroad crossings, we recommend the Washtenaw County Road Commission cut the roadside growth, by August 1st, to a 6-8 foot cutback and discard the dead trees in a timelier manner to make the rural roads safer for traveling

56. Washtenaw County Road Commission Communication
We recommend that the Washtenaw County Road Commission Administration be more effective communicating with employees and county residents.

57. Road Safety/Visibility Safety
The Washtenaw County Farm Bureau recommends that the Washtenaw County Road Commission be timelier in mowing intersections for visibility and safety.

58. Dead Tree Removal
We recommend that the Washtenaw County Road Commission cut all dead trees along the roads to prevent accidents and electrical outage.

59. Road Commissioners
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau opposes increasing the number of Washtenaw County Road Commissioners from 3 to 5 in order that the commission can operate as cost effectively and efficiently as possible.

60. Road Commission Budget
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau supports a Washtenaw County Road Commission budget, which allocates more funds for actual road maintenance and improvement and less for administration.

61. Slow Moving Vehicles
We resolve that Washtenaw County Farm Bureau direct Washtenaw County sheriff's department to warn property owners that are using slow-moving vehicle signs for purposes other than slow-moving vehicles, remove them from public view.

62. Soy Diesel Use
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau encourages school districts in Washtenaw County to use soy diesel for the bus fleets.