Programs

Promotion & Education

The goal of the Promotion and Education program is to educate Michigan consumers about agriculture through working with children and schools and coordinating public outreach programs to promote and educate about agriculture. In addition, the Promotion and Education program strives to educate farmers on issues impacting agriculture.

This year a number of activities took place aimed at elementary students. One was the adoption of a classroom at Johannesburg Elementary School. Farm Bureau members presented agriculture-related lessons to these student throughout the school year. Another program was the poster contest for third graders with local prizes awarded to the students with the best posters. Agriculture and Natural Resources Day took place the third week of May. This has a long tradition in Otsego County and over 350 students took part.

For more information on the local Promotion and Education efforts please contact Cyn Prusakiewicz.

For more information about this program, visit the Promotion & Education website.

Washington Legislative Seminar

Each year, Farm Bureau organizes face-to-face meetings with hundreds of Farm Bureau leaders and their respective elected officials. These annual "lobbying" missions are a key element in the Farm Bureau grassroots policy development and policy execution process.

County representatives for 2009 were Steve Tomaski and Paul Krudy. They traveled to Washington for the conference on March 11-13.They met with our Senators and Representatives and discussed issues of concern for area farmers.

For more information about this program, visit the Washington Legislative Seminar website.

Young Farmer

The Young Farmer program is designed to develop leadership potential for men and women between the ages of 18 and 35.

Brandi Behnke-Slough is the new chairperson for Young Farmers in Otsego County. In the coming months, Brandie will be contacting eligible members and helping to organize events. If you are interested in learning more about the program contact Brandie or the Farm Bureau Office.

For more information about this program, visit the Young Farmer website.

Young People's Citizenship Seminar

Over two hundred twenty of the top students from Michigan convene each year in late June to learn about world economic and political systems and conduct their own mock election. Sponsored by county Farm Bureaus across the state, the Citizenship Seminar has been conducted for over 35 years and has provided leadership skills for over 5,000 of Michigan's youth.

This year four young people received scholarships for the program from the Otsego County Farm Bureau. They were Desiree Vail,Anna Kassuba, Daniel Krudy and Magen Renard.

For more information about this program, visit the Young People's Citizenship Seminar website.