The online version is available at: http://www.michfb.com/press/agrinotes.php
Digital dialogue: Find Michigan Farm Bureau's fan page on Facebook, www.facebook.com, by searching for Michigan Farm Bureau. Find us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MichFarmBureau, and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/MichiganFarmBureau.
MEDIA CONTACT
Contact information for the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) staff member who is best qualified to answer media questions on a particular subject accompanies each news release and brief. Should you be unable to reach the staff member or if you have other media questions, please call MFB Media Support Services Manager Jill Corrin toll-free at (800) 292-2680, ext. 6585 or direct at (517) 323-6585.
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AGRINOTES & NEWS FOR February 4, 2010
THIS ISSUE:
Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) members agree with Gov. Jennifer Granholm that Michigan's "budget process is broken" and the state "must do better." These are some of the same conclusions reached by MFB's Government Streamlining Committee. But Granholm missed an opportunity to highlight the agriculture industry's vital role in helping Michigan stay afloat during these difficult economic times - and the even greater role the industry will play in Michigan's comeback. And she didn't go far enough in proposing reforms that reflect where state cuts must be made, namely three major areas: corrections, human services and education.
For more information, contact Tonia Ritter, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2048, or Jill Corrin, ext. 6585
Farm Bureau is on the front lines of some of the most heated political debates in America, including climate change legislation, the estate tax and immigration reform, and key to the organization's arsenal are Farm Bureau members whose voices are even more vital this election year.
For more information, contact Mike Wenkel, (800) 292-2680, ext. 3232.
Michigan consumers have one remaining week to register for the chance to win free groceries for a year courtesy of Michigan's farmers. Through Feb. 12, Michigan residents can register at www.FarmersFeedUS.org for a chance to win one of three grand prizes of free groceries for a year.
For more information, contact Mark Crouser, Center for Food Integrity program coordinator, (816) 556-3134.
More than 50 county Farm Bureau presidents traveled to Lansing Jan. 27-28 to take part in Michigan Farm Bureau's (MFB) 2010 Council of Presidents' Conference.
For more information, contact Tom Nugent, ext. 6587.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman speaks at the Calhoun County Farm Bureau membership kickoff for Michigan Farm Bureau's Membership Day.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman visits with locals in Jackson County.
To see photos, please go to the online version which is available at http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/press/agrinotes.php
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PHOTO CAPTIONS:
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman speaks at the Calhoun County Farm Bureau membership kickoff for Michigan Farm Bureau's Membership Day.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman visits with locals in Jackson County.
To see photos, please go to the online version which is available at http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/press/agrinotes.php
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CALENDAR
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Granholm hits mark in calling for government streamlining but misses with disregard for agriculture's success stories
Contact: Tonia Ritter, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2048, or Jill Corrin, ext. 6585
LANSING, Feb. 3, 2010 - Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) members agree with Gov. Jennifer Granholm that Michigan's "budget process is broken" and the state "must do better."
As Granholm said in her State of the State address Wednesday evening, "the old Michigan economy is gone," and fixing Michigan's broken budget demands "urgency, common sense and courage" on the part of elected leaders. These are some of the same conclusions reached by MFB's Government Streamlining Committee.
But Granholm missed an opportunity to highlight the agriculture industry's vital role in helping Michigan stay afloat during these difficult economic times - and the even greater role the industry will play in Michigan's comeback, said MFB President Wayne H. Wood. And she didn't go far enough in proposing reforms that reflect where state cuts must be made, namely three major areas: corrections, human services and education.
Where the Governor got it right
Granholm did hit the nail on the head in her call to "streamline state government and reduce its cost," said Wood.
The MFB Government Streamlining Committee was probably most surprised to learn that 86 percent of Michigan's general fund is currently spent on corrections, human services and education. So unless major reforms are made to these areas, cuts to other state departments will have little to no effect on the bottom line. In fact, the state could eliminate every other department outside of corrections, human services and education and still not have enough money to solve the state's $1.8 billion budget deficit.
"If you eliminate every other state department outside of corrections, human services and education, you'd only shore up enough money to operate the state for less than two months. The administration and Legislature must concentrate on the 86 percent which represents the biggest and costliest chunk of the pie. Otherwise, they're just spinning their wheels and not getting to the heart of the major spending areas," said Wood.
Just what those reforms should look like is less certain.
"The Michigan Farm Bureau does not claim to have all the answers on how best to streamline state government, and we're not naïve to think there's a silver bullet," said Wood. "But we do know that Michigan's spending is based on a manufacturing economy that no longer exists. The current situation is unsustainable and demands major reform and restructuring in how the state spends money."
Where the Governor missed
Despite being the state's second largest industry and one of the clear growth sectors, agriculture was only mentioned once in Granholm's address.
The agri-food, agri-energy and supporting businesses collectively contribute $71.3 billion to Michigan's economy annually and employ 1 million Michigan residents, roughly a quarter of the state's work force. In fact, agriculture has been growing at a rate five times faster than the growth rate of Michigan's general economy.
"We appreciate Governor Granholm recognizing Michigan's 'diverse agriculture' as a unique attribute that gives the state a competitive advantage, but we were disappointed that agriculture was left out of the business success stories she shared from around the state," said Wood.
"Agriculture generally doesn't have the glitzy ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies like some other business sectors, but every day people are investing in their farms, employing their family members and neighbors, and diversifying their products to provide a better future for their family, local community and the state as a whole."
Even in Granholm's call for the Legislature to fund Pure Michigan tourism advertising, she referred to "hotels, restaurants, ski resorts and golf courses," but overlooked the booming agritourism sector which continues to gain popularity as the "buy local food/support local farms" movement gains traction.
At one point, Granholm focused on the "clean-energy sector" of Michigan's economy - one of six "new" economic sectors she identified.
"In talking about the 'clean-energy sector' the Governor mentioned taking Michigan 'from the rust belt to the green belt,' but I'd argue Michigan already has a 'green belt;' it's called agriculture," said Wood. "Agriculture has been Michigan's green belt from the state's beginning and will continue this legacy with proper support from state government."
Looking forward
MFB looks forward to seeing the details of Granholm's budget proposal next week. In the meantime, the organization has been reviewing the many reform proposals brought forth by coalitions representing a variety of business sectors, and encourages the administration and Legislature to also give these plans close thought and consideration as they have many ideas in common for moving Michigan forward.
From MFB's standpoint, one thing is certain. The organization must expand its scope of concern and look beyond agriculture to every other arm of state government, including corrections, human services and education, said Wood.
"It's imperative that Michigan look for increased efficiencies in government, prioritize cuts, reform where possible, and increase taxes or fees as a last option," he said.
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Granholm hits mark in calling for government streamlining but misses with disregard for agriculture's success stories
Contact: Tonia Ritter, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2048, or Jill Corrin, ext. 6585
LANSING, Feb. 3, 2010 - Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) members agree with Gov. Jennifer Granholm that Michigan's "budget process is broken" and the state "must do better."
As Granholm said in her State of the State address Wednesday evening, "the old Michigan economy is gone," and fixing Michigan's broken budget demands "urgency, common sense and courage" on the part of elected leaders. These are some of the same conclusions reached by MFB's Government Streamlining Committee.
But Granholm missed an opportunity to highlight the agriculture industry's vital role in helping Michigan stay afloat during these difficult economic times - and the even greater role the industry will play in Michigan's comeback, said MFB President Wayne H. Wood. And she didn't go far enough in proposing reforms that reflect where state cuts must be made, namely three major areas: corrections, human services and education.
Where the Governor got it right
Granholm did hit the nail on the head in her call to "streamline state government and reduce its cost," said Wood.
The MFB Government Streamlining Committee was probably most surprised to learn that 86 percent of Michigan's general fund is currently spent on corrections, human services and education. So unless major reforms are made to these areas, cuts to other state departments will have little to no effect on the bottom line. In fact, the state could eliminate every other department outside of corrections, human services and education and still not have enough money to solve the state's $1.8 billion budget deficit.
"If you eliminate every other state department outside of corrections, human services and education, you'd only shore up enough money to operate the state for less than two months. The administration and Legislature must concentrate on the 86 percent which represents the biggest and costliest chunk of the pie. Otherwise, they're just spinning their wheels and not getting to the heart of the major spending areas," said Wood.
Just what those reforms should look like is less certain.
"The Michigan Farm Bureau does not claim to have all the answers on how best to streamline state government, and we're not naïve to think there's a silver bullet," said Wood. "But we do know that Michigan's spending is based on a manufacturing economy that no longer exists. The current situation is unsustainable and demands major reform and restructuring in how the state spends money."
Where the Governor missed
Despite being the state's second largest industry and one of the clear growth sectors, agriculture was only mentioned once in Granholm's address.
The agri-food, agri-energy and supporting businesses collectively contribute $71.3 billion to Michigan's economy annually and employ 1 million Michigan residents, roughly a quarter of the state's work force. In fact, agriculture has been growing at a rate five times faster than the growth rate of Michigan's general economy.
"We appreciate Governor Granholm recognizing Michigan's 'diverse agriculture' as a unique attribute that gives the state a competitive advantage, but we were disappointed that agriculture was left out of the business success stories she shared from around the state," said Wood.
"Agriculture generally doesn't have the glitzy ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies like some other business sectors, but every day people are investing in their farms, employing their family members and neighbors, and diversifying their products to provide a better future for their family, local community and the state as a whole."
Even in Granholm's call for the Legislature to fund Pure Michigan tourism advertising, she referred to "hotels, restaurants, ski resorts and golf courses," but overlooked the booming agritourism sector which continues to gain popularity as the "buy local food/support local farms" movement gains traction.
At one point, Granholm focused on the "clean-energy sector" of Michigan's economy - one of six "new" economic sectors she identified.
"In talking about the 'clean-energy sector' the Governor mentioned taking Michigan 'from the rust belt to the green belt,' but I'd argue Michigan already has a 'green belt;' it's called agriculture," said Wood. "Agriculture has been Michigan's green belt from the state's beginning and will continue this legacy with proper support from state government."
Looking forward
MFB looks forward to seeing the details of Granholm's budget proposal next week. In the meantime, the organization has been reviewing the many reform proposals brought forth by coalitions representing a variety of business sectors, and encourages the administration and Legislature to also give these plans close thought and consideration as they have many ideas in common for moving Michigan forward.
From MFB's standpoint, one thing is certain. The organization must expand its scope of concern and look beyond agriculture to every other arm of state government, including corrections, human services and education, said Wood.
"It's imperative that Michigan look for increased efficiencies in government, prioritize cuts, reform where possible, and increase taxes or fees as a last option," he said.
-30-
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Farm Bureau membership makes difference on issues like climate change, immigration, says AFBF president during state visit
Contact: Mike Wenkel, (800) 292-2680, ext. 3232
LANSING, Feb. 5, 2010 - Farm Bureau is on the front lines of some of the most heated political debates in America, including climate change legislation, the estate tax and immigration reform, and key to the organization's arsenal are Farm Bureau members whose voices are even more vital this election year.
That's according to American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle farmer from Columbus, Texas, who met with nearly 500 individuals along his 504-mile trek across southern Michigan on Feb. 2 to visit seven county Farm Bureaus for MFB's Membership Day, kicking off the MFB 2010 membership campaign.
"You hear a lot about money being the currency of politics. That's not really true. The currency of politics is the votes. It's the people who are willing to get out and vote... and that's where the (membership) numbers really count, and that's what has given Farm Bureau our strength as an organization," said Stallman during a stop in Coopersville to meet with current and prospective Ottawa County Farm Bureau members.
"We have about 2 million farmers and ranchers in this country and have political clout far in excess of what that 2 million is as a percentage of the 300-plus million people who live in this country because farmers tend to be more active," Stallman said. "Membership for an organization is key...and your involvement in terms of activity is key to us having influence. It's as simple as that."
Stallman's whistle-stop appearances in Ottawa, Berrien, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson and Wayne counties provided natural backdrops to share how Farm Bureau, with the guidance and resources of its membership, is working to make a difference on issues that threaten agriculture's way of life, including climate change legislation being considered in Congress.
Climate change legislation
"The short version of this is it's bad for U.S. agriculture," said Stallman of the legislation, which would impose mandatory cap-and-trade regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A bill has already passed in the U.S. House and the Senate is considering its own version.
The House bill calls for converting about 60 million acres of farmland used for food production to trees. "And it would put about a $200 billion a year equivalent indirect tax on American consumers because of higher energy costs" and raise farmers' operating expenses, said Stallman. The proposed Senate bill has even worse outcomes for agriculture.
"At the end of the day, even if you think the science on climate change is correct, (the legislation) wouldn't do anything to affect the climate because China and India and other developing countries are saying they're not going to put a stranglehold on their economy to have their carbon emissions capped or cap their energy use; they're going to go ahead whether we do or not. And so that would put us at a very competitive disadvantage," said Stallman.
In an effort to defeat the legislation, AFBF has launched a national campaign called "Don't CAP Our Future" and is asking members to sign the bill of baseball caps - a familiar accessory of the farmer "uniform" - and distribute the signed caps to their Congressional leaders "to make the case that we do not want to pass mandatory cap-and-trade legislation; we oppose it and oppose it for very good reasons relative to its negative effect on agriculture."
Estate tax
Another AFBF campaign is focused on permanent repeal of the federal estate tax or "death tax." The tax has been temporarily repealed this year but is scheduled to return with vengeance in 2011 when the exemption will drop from the 2009 level of $3.5 million to $1 million, affecting many more people, and the top tax rate will rise from the 2009 level of 45 percent to 55 percent.
The estate tax has been a longtime burden which has threatened the ability of families to transition farms from one generation to the next. The problem is the value of a farm operation that is big enough to support a multi-generational family often exceeds the estate tax exemption. An estimated 80 percent of farm assets are land based, so when estate taxes exceed cash and other liquid assets on hand, surviving family members can be forced to sell land, buildings or equipment needed to keep the farm operational.
"It's an immoral tax and unfair tax," said Stallman, recounting his firsthand experience dealing with the death of his father two years ago and mother a couple weeks ago.
Immigration reform
In spite of double-digit unemployment across the nation, farmers remain challenged to find individuals willing to perform on-farm labor and seasonal jobs, hence the industry's continued reliance on guest workers. Efforts to pass immigration reform, including an agricultural guest worker program, have stalled in Congress and Stallman acknowledges that reaching a resolution this year doesn't look promising.
Still, AFBF is "going to work to see if we can have an adequate guest worker program that meets the needs of U.S. agriculture, that's there for the long term, and also deals with the problem of those who are here but who aren't legally documented but have been here for a long time," he said. "It's a complicated issue, but at the end of the day the solution has to involve us having an adequate guest worker program for the long term."
Elections
No matter the issue, Stallman advised members to feel empowered in evaluating political candidates this election season.
"In deciding who you're going to support for public office get specific answers," he said. "Don't let them do the warm, fuzzy 'I love agriculture.' Get them to tell you what they're going to do and the specific policies they're going to support...Be sure they are providing the right answers to the questions you need to ask on behalf of yourself and on behalf of modern agriculture before you give your support."
Membership Day
In addition to the seven county Farm Bureaus Stallman visited, another 10 also held membership kickoff events that same day. Combined, the 17 events involved approximately 800 individuals, and 40 new Farm Bureau members were signed that day. The remainder of Michigan's 67 county Farm Bureaus will hold kickoff activities in coming weeks.
A two-part video of Stallman's appearance at the Ottawa County Farm Bureau membership kickoff is available to view on MFB's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/MichiganFarmBureau.
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Editor's Note: A downloadable photo of American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman is available at http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/01-21_President_Stallman.jpg. His complete biography is online in the newsroom section of the AFBF Web site, www.fb.org. Larger versions of the photos shown here are available at http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/Hank_ChoateRoni_Bob_Stallman.jpg and http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/Stallman_speaking_1.jpg
Farm Bureau membership makes difference on issues like climate change, immigration, says AFBF president during state visit
Contact: Mike Wenkel, (800) 292-2680, ext. 3232
LANSING, Feb. 5, 2010 - Farm Bureau is on the front lines of some of the most heated political debates in America, including climate change legislation, the estate tax and immigration reform, and key to the organization's arsenal are Farm Bureau members whose voices are even more vital this election year.
That's according to American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle farmer from Columbus, Texas, who met with nearly 500 individuals along his 504-mile trek across southern Michigan on Feb. 2 to visit seven county Farm Bureaus for MFB's Membership Day, kicking off the MFB 2010 membership campaign.
"You hear a lot about money being the currency of politics. That's not really true. The currency of politics is the votes. It's the people who are willing to get out and vote... and that's where the (membership) numbers really count, and that's what has given Farm Bureau our strength as an organization," said Stallman during a stop in Coopersville to meet with current and prospective Ottawa County Farm Bureau members.
"We have about 2 million farmers and ranchers in this country and have political clout far in excess of what that 2 million is as a percentage of the 300-plus million people who live in this country because farmers tend to be more active," Stallman said. "Membership for an organization is key...and your involvement in terms of activity is key to us having influence. It's as simple as that."
Stallman's whistle-stop appearances in Ottawa, Berrien, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson and Wayne counties provided natural backdrops to share how Farm Bureau, with the guidance and resources of its membership, is working to make a difference on issues that threaten agriculture's way of life, including climate change legislation being considered in Congress.
Climate change legislation
"The short version of this is it's bad for U.S. agriculture," said Stallman of the legislation, which would impose mandatory cap-and-trade regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A bill has already passed in the U.S. House and the Senate is considering its own version.
The House bill calls for converting about 60 million acres of farmland used for food production to trees. "And it would put about a $200 billion a year equivalent indirect tax on American consumers because of higher energy costs" and raise farmers' operating expenses, said Stallman. The proposed Senate bill has even worse outcomes for agriculture.
"At the end of the day, even if you think the science on climate change is correct, (the legislation) wouldn't do anything to affect the climate because China and India and other developing countries are saying they're not going to put a stranglehold on their economy to have their carbon emissions capped or cap their energy use; they're going to go ahead whether we do or not. And so that would put us at a very competitive disadvantage," said Stallman.
In an effort to defeat the legislation, AFBF has launched a national campaign called "Don't CAP Our Future" and is asking members to sign the bill of baseball caps - a familiar accessory of the farmer "uniform" - and distribute the signed caps to their Congressional leaders "to make the case that we do not want to pass mandatory cap-and-trade legislation; we oppose it and oppose it for very good reasons relative to its negative effect on agriculture."
Estate tax
Another AFBF campaign is focused on permanent repeal of the federal estate tax or "death tax." The tax has been temporarily repealed this year but is scheduled to return with vengeance in 2011 when the exemption will drop from the 2009 level of $3.5 million to $1 million, affecting many more people, and the top tax rate will rise from the 2009 level of 45 percent to 55 percent.
The estate tax has been a longtime burden which has threatened the ability of families to transition farms from one generation to the next. The problem is the value of a farm operation that is big enough to support a multi-generational family often exceeds the estate tax exemption. An estimated 80 percent of farm assets are land based, so when estate taxes exceed cash and other liquid assets on hand, surviving family members can be forced to sell land, buildings or equipment needed to keep the farm operational.
"It's an immoral tax and unfair tax," said Stallman, recounting his firsthand experience dealing with the death of his father two years ago and mother a couple weeks ago.
Immigration reform
In spite of double-digit unemployment across the nation, farmers remain challenged to find individuals willing to perform on-farm labor and seasonal jobs, hence the industry's continued reliance on guest workers. Efforts to pass immigration reform, including an agricultural guest worker program, have stalled in Congress and Stallman acknowledges that reaching a resolution this year doesn't look promising.
Still, AFBF is "going to work to see if we can have an adequate guest worker program that meets the needs of U.S. agriculture, that's there for the long term, and also deals with the problem of those who are here but who aren't legally documented but have been here for a long time," he said. "It's a complicated issue, but at the end of the day the solution has to involve us having an adequate guest worker program for the long term."
Elections
No matter the issue, Stallman advised members to feel empowered in evaluating political candidates this election season.
"In deciding who you're going to support for public office get specific answers," he said. "Don't let them do the warm, fuzzy 'I love agriculture.' Get them to tell you what they're going to do and the specific policies they're going to support...Be sure they are providing the right answers to the questions you need to ask on behalf of yourself and on behalf of modern agriculture before you give your support."
Membership Day
In addition to the seven county Farm Bureaus Stallman visited, another 10 also held membership kickoff events that same day. Combined, the 17 events involved approximately 800 individuals, and 40 new Farm Bureau members were signed that day. The remainder of Michigan's 67 county Farm Bureaus will hold kickoff activities in coming weeks.
A two-part video of Stallman's appearance at the Ottawa County Farm Bureau membership kickoff is available to view on MFB's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/MichiganFarmBureau.
-30-
Editor's Note: A downloadable photo of American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman is available at http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/01-21_President_Stallman.jpg. His complete biography is online in the newsroom section of the AFBF Web site, www.fb.org. Larger versions of the photos shown here are available at http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/Hank_ChoateRoni_Bob_Stallman.jpg and http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/Stallman_speaking_1.jpg
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One week remains for 'Win Free Groceries for a Year' sweepstakes
Online contest featuring Michigan farmers, video farm tours ends Feb. 12
Contact: Contact: Mark Crouser, Center for Food Integrity program coordinator, (816) 556-3134
LANSING, Feb. 5, 2010 - Michigan consumers have one remaining week to register for the chance to win free groceries for a year courtesy of Michigan's farmers. Through Feb. 12, Michigan residents can register at www.FarmersFeedUS.org for a chance to win one of three grand prizes of free groceries for a year.
Already, Michigan consumers have registered more than 170,000 times in hopes of winning a prize, each valued at $5,000 based on research conducted by the Food Marketing Institute.
Upon visiting the Web site, consumers can choose to register with each of 10 Michigan farmers daily, and take a video tour of their farms. Each video explains how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food for Michigan consumers.
"We're really pleased with the consumer response thus far. Their support shows that they understand the importance of farmers in Michigan," said Jennifer Lewis, a Jonesville dairy farmer featured on the Web site. "And as Michigan farmers, we're proud to showcase our farms, sharing how we raise the food that Michigan consumers eat, while also introducing them to our families."
The agricultural commodity organizations sponsoring Michigan Farmers Feed US selected the farmers featured on the Web site, with the goal of showcasing farmers who are representative of the different food groups and different farming regions in Michigan. The 10 featured farmers are:
• Jennifer Bixby, apple farmer, Berrien Springs, Berrien County
• Jennifer Lewis, dairy farmer, Jonesville, Hillsdale County
• Dave Cheney, hog farmer, Mason, Ingham County
• Harry Herbruck, egg farmer, Saranac, Ionia County
• Ed Cagney, soybean farmer, Scotts, Kalamazoo County
• Scott Oswalt, sheep farmer, Vicksburg, Kalamazoo County
• Annie Link, dairy farmer, Alto, Kent County
• Bret Schapman, cattle farmer, Romeo, Macomb County
• Clark Gerstacker, corn farmer, Midland, Midland County
• Jason Ruhlig, vegetable farmer, Carleton, Monroe County
Consumers also have the opportunity to interact with these and other Michigan farmers on their blogs and Facebook pages, including www.facebook.com/MiFarmersFeedUS and www.twitter.com/MiFarmersFeedUS.
The Michigan Farmers Feed US program is supported by local farmers represented by the Michigan Ag Council, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Beef Industry Commission, Michigan Pork Producers Association, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michigan Apple Committee, Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, West Michigan Ag Alliance, Hamilton Farm Bureau, and 30 county Farm Bureaus from across the state. Spartan Stores is the official retail partner, helping to connect their consumers with farmers from across the state.
The Farmers Feed US program originated in Michigan based on interest from the Michigan Ag Council and other agricultural organizations in coordinating a statewide effort to showcase how Michigan's farmers produce safe, nutritious, and affordable food for consumers. Michigan is the second state to implement the nationally-based Farmers Feed US program on a state level.
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Editor's Note: Mark Crouser, of the Center for Food Integrity, is the program coordinator and media contact. You can reach him at (816) 556-3134. The Center for Food Integrity is a not-for-profit corporation established to build consumer trust and confidence in the contemporary U.S. food system. Members represent every segment of the food system, and are committed to providing accurate information and addressing important issues among all food system stakeholders. The Center does not lobby or advocate for individual food companies or brands. For more information, visit www.foodintegrity.org.
One week remains for 'Win Free Groceries for a Year' sweepstakes
Online contest featuring Michigan farmers, video farm tours ends Feb. 12
Contact: Contact: Mark Crouser, Center for Food Integrity program coordinator, (816) 556-3134
LANSING, Feb. 5, 2010 - Michigan consumers have one remaining week to register for the chance to win free groceries for a year courtesy of Michigan's farmers. Through Feb. 12, Michigan residents can register at www.FarmersFeedUS.org for a chance to win one of three grand prizes of free groceries for a year.
Already, Michigan consumers have registered more than 170,000 times in hopes of winning a prize, each valued at $5,000 based on research conducted by the Food Marketing Institute.
Upon visiting the Web site, consumers can choose to register with each of 10 Michigan farmers daily, and take a video tour of their farms. Each video explains how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food for Michigan consumers.
"We're really pleased with the consumer response thus far. Their support shows that they understand the importance of farmers in Michigan," said Jennifer Lewis, a Jonesville dairy farmer featured on the Web site. "And as Michigan farmers, we're proud to showcase our farms, sharing how we raise the food that Michigan consumers eat, while also introducing them to our families."
The agricultural commodity organizations sponsoring Michigan Farmers Feed US selected the farmers featured on the Web site, with the goal of showcasing farmers who are representative of the different food groups and different farming regions in Michigan. The 10 featured farmers are:
• Jennifer Bixby, apple farmer, Berrien Springs, Berrien County
• Jennifer Lewis, dairy farmer, Jonesville, Hillsdale County
• Dave Cheney, hog farmer, Mason, Ingham County
• Harry Herbruck, egg farmer, Saranac, Ionia County
• Ed Cagney, soybean farmer, Scotts, Kalamazoo County
• Scott Oswalt, sheep farmer, Vicksburg, Kalamazoo County
• Annie Link, dairy farmer, Alto, Kent County
• Bret Schapman, cattle farmer, Romeo, Macomb County
• Clark Gerstacker, corn farmer, Midland, Midland County
• Jason Ruhlig, vegetable farmer, Carleton, Monroe County
Consumers also have the opportunity to interact with these and other Michigan farmers on their blogs and Facebook pages, including www.facebook.com/MiFarmersFeedUS and www.twitter.com/MiFarmersFeedUS.
The Michigan Farmers Feed US program is supported by local farmers represented by the Michigan Ag Council, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Beef Industry Commission, Michigan Pork Producers Association, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michigan Apple Committee, Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, West Michigan Ag Alliance, Hamilton Farm Bureau, and 30 county Farm Bureaus from across the state. Spartan Stores is the official retail partner, helping to connect their consumers with farmers from across the state.
The Farmers Feed US program originated in Michigan based on interest from the Michigan Ag Council and other agricultural organizations in coordinating a statewide effort to showcase how Michigan's farmers produce safe, nutritious, and affordable food for consumers. Michigan is the second state to implement the nationally-based Farmers Feed US program on a state level.
-30-
Editor's Note: Mark Crouser, of the Center for Food Integrity, is the program coordinator and media contact. You can reach him at (816) 556-3134. The Center for Food Integrity is a not-for-profit corporation established to build consumer trust and confidence in the contemporary U.S. food system. Members represent every segment of the food system, and are committed to providing accurate information and addressing important issues among all food system stakeholders. The Center does not lobby or advocate for individual food companies or brands. For more information, visit www.foodintegrity.org.
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County Farm Bureau presidents primed for local leadership
Contact: Tom Nugent, (800) 292-2680, ext. 6587
LANSING, Feb. 5, 2010 - More than 50 county Farm Bureau presidents traveled to Lansing Jan. 27-28 to take part in Michigan Farm Bureau's (MFB) 2010 Council of Presidents' Conference. The annual event brings together local Farm Bureau leaders from across the state for informative workshops, guest speakers and opportunities to learn from and exchange ideas with their peers and MFB staff-all to help them make the most of their role at the helm of their local farming organization. (TO LOCALIZE, PLEASE SEE THE PDF LIST OF LOCAL PARTICIPANTS IN ATTENDANCE at http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/02-05-10_Council_of_Presidents.pdf.)
This year's conference began with special programming for attendees new to the role of county Farm Bureau president. That evening all participating presidents convened for a presentation regarding changes ongoing within Michigan State University's (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources from Dean Jeffrey Armstrong, MSU Extension Director Tom Coon and Agricultural Experiment Station Director John Baker.
Throughout the following day, participants took in a series of informative sessions covering a number of timely subjects, including technological tools beneficial to county Farm Bureau leaders, MFB's Farmers CARE initiative, political candidate evaluation, and an in-depth discussion exploring potential means of streamlining Michigan's state government.
Participating county presidents took particular interest in their organization's role in the upcoming state election. With more than 70 percent of the state Legislature turning over this year, local Farm Bureau leaders anticipate a busy candidate evaluation season as they sift through hundreds of prospective lawmakers in search of those recommendable for the "Friend of Agriculture" endorsement from MFB's political action committee, AgriPac.
Other key speakers at this year's conference were Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, and Rebecca Humphries, director of the newly formed Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
MFB is the state's largest general farm organization, representing the interests of more than 47,000 farm families, and providing service and support for 67 county Farm Bureaus.
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Editor's Note: Photographs of conference attendees are available for download at www.michfb.com/newsroom/photos/44. For assistance arranging an interview with your local Farm Bureau president, contact MFB County Communications Department Manager Jeremy C. Nagel at (800) 292-2680, ext. 6584.
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You are receiving this e-mail because you are subscribed to Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriNotes & News. To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you did not receive this e-mail directly from us and would like to be added to our list, please send an e-mail with your contact information to mfbinfo@michfb.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
County Farm Bureau presidents primed for local leadership
Contact: Tom Nugent, (800) 292-2680, ext. 6587
LANSING, Feb. 5, 2010 - More than 50 county Farm Bureau presidents traveled to Lansing Jan. 27-28 to take part in Michigan Farm Bureau's (MFB) 2010 Council of Presidents' Conference. The annual event brings together local Farm Bureau leaders from across the state for informative workshops, guest speakers and opportunities to learn from and exchange ideas with their peers and MFB staff-all to help them make the most of their role at the helm of their local farming organization. (TO LOCALIZE, PLEASE SEE THE PDF LIST OF LOCAL PARTICIPANTS IN ATTENDANCE at http://www.michfb.com/files/2010/02-05-10_Council_of_Presidents.pdf.)
This year's conference began with special programming for attendees new to the role of county Farm Bureau president. That evening all participating presidents convened for a presentation regarding changes ongoing within Michigan State University's (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources from Dean Jeffrey Armstrong, MSU Extension Director Tom Coon and Agricultural Experiment Station Director John Baker.
Throughout the following day, participants took in a series of informative sessions covering a number of timely subjects, including technological tools beneficial to county Farm Bureau leaders, MFB's Farmers CARE initiative, political candidate evaluation, and an in-depth discussion exploring potential means of streamlining Michigan's state government.
Participating county presidents took particular interest in their organization's role in the upcoming state election. With more than 70 percent of the state Legislature turning over this year, local Farm Bureau leaders anticipate a busy candidate evaluation season as they sift through hundreds of prospective lawmakers in search of those recommendable for the "Friend of Agriculture" endorsement from MFB's political action committee, AgriPac.
Other key speakers at this year's conference were Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, and Rebecca Humphries, director of the newly formed Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
MFB is the state's largest general farm organization, representing the interests of more than 47,000 farm families, and providing service and support for 67 county Farm Bureaus.
-30-
Editor's Note: Photographs of conference attendees are available for download at www.michfb.com/newsroom/photos/44. For assistance arranging an interview with your local Farm Bureau president, contact MFB County Communications Department Manager Jeremy C. Nagel at (800) 292-2680, ext. 6584.
__________________________________________________________________________
You are receiving this e-mail because you are subscribed to Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriNotes & News. To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you did not receive this e-mail directly from us and would like to be added to our list, please send an e-mail with your contact information to mfbinfo@michfb.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.