Governor Jennifer Granholm visited Michigan Farm Bureau's annual meeting for the second year in a row, something Farm Bureau President Wayne H. Wood said is indeed rare. The governor addressed the delegates about "tremendous opportunities;" spoke about streamlining regulations that hurt economic growth and said: "Because we are the state that put the world on wheels, in my opinion, I think we have an obligation to be the state that makes the United States independent of foreign oil."
Policy makers send message to DEQ
Michigan farmers sent a message to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) during Michigan Farm Bureau's 86th Annual Meeting by passing strongly-worded policy that calls for a shift of environmental authority over some farms from the DEQ to the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). Click here for full story.Don't let your farm become victimized
A national study of farmers after September 11, 2001, showed that 75 percent of the farmers surveyed thought an agricultural terrorist attack would likely or very likely hit the United States in the future, but only 14 percent thought their farm was likely or very likely to be targeted. Click here for full story.Deer population discussions set
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a series of meetings around the state this winter to receive public input on deer population goals. Click here for full story.USDA names 24 Michigan counties natural disaster areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 24 counties in Michigan as primary natural disaster areas, making all qualified farm operators eligible for low-interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). Click here for full story.