While many agriculture interests were examining the potential damage from a proposed budget that would cut $21 million from Michigan's agriculture industry, Senator Patty Birkholz was among 15 state senators, 63 state representatives and 330 Farm Bureau members at the annual Lansing Legislative Seminar Feb. 18. Birkholz, discussing issues with Allegan County constituent Mike Geerlings, was awarded her third Silver Plow for her leadership in passing water use legislation last year, legislation that is threatened by cuts as well. Birkholz said she'd "lead the band" in keeping water use reporting viable within the MDA.
Budget leaves farmers to flounder
Agriculture, one of the few positive economic engines in the state, will bear a great portion of the burden caused by Michigan's economic belly-flop. That big-belly burden will get bigger under a proposed system of fees and other economic disincentives, according to stakeholders ranging from Michigan State University Extension to the dairy industry to fruits and vegetables. Click here for full story.Piece of a costly pie
In early February, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referred to as the economic stimulus package. Click here for full story.Impact of budget cuts extends far beyond farmers
Think massive cuts to the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) budget don't affect the Average Joe? Think again, says the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB). Click here for full story.Spring road weight restrictions are on
State road weight restrictions have been imposed and will be enforced on all state trunk line highways. Click here for full story.Michigan agriculture still in the family
Eighty-seven percent of Michigan farms are family operated, according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture. Click here for full story.Cuts make ag bleed, but how deep is the wound?
It will take some time before agriculture knows just how badly wounded it will be from deep cuts in the state budget, but when initial discussions began in mid-February, there were four major areas of adjustment, according to Amy Epkey, budget officer with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). Click here for full story.Eaton County completes first two PDR land preserves
Eaton County recently completed its first two Purchase of Development Right's (PDR) projects within the county's program. Click here for full story.