“Engage. Ask the questions. This is the place for the conversation.”
These were the parting words shared by Michigan Farm Bureau Vice President and District 11 Director Patrick McGuire to the 22-member MFB Policy Development (PD) Committee after they convened Sept. 24 at the organization’s home office in Lansing.
“Our first meeting helps new and returning committee members become familiar with the task ahead of them,” McGuire explained. “They receive updates from MFB staff and hear presentations from industry experts — both giving them relevant background information.”
In his first year as chair, McGuire will lead the committee in reviewing suggested edits, additions and deletions to the MFB and AFBF policy books.
The preparation is important, McGuire said, because “when we meet again, we’ll have a binder in front of each of us that’s about three inches thick and includes hundreds of policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and our member-led advisory committees.”
Oct. 9-10 the MFB PD Committee will craft the amended policies to be deliberated and approved by delegates to the MFB State Annual Meeting, Dec. 3-4 in Grand Rapids.
Members of the 2024 MFB State PD Committee include:
- District 1: Loren King (St. Joseph)
- District 2: Blaine Baker (Lenawee)
- District 3: Jason Sahloff (Monroe)
- District 4: Kylee Zdunic-Rasch (Kent)
- District 5: Charles Goeke (Ingham)
- District 6: Luke Ewald (Tuscola)
- District 7: Todd Fox (Oceana)
- District 8: Frank Zwemmer (Gratiot)
- District 9: Jennifer Smeltzer (Benzie-Manistee)
- District 10: Joel Vernier (Gladwin)
- District 11: Jeremy Karsten (Presque Isle)
- District 12: Anthony Lampinen (Copper Country)
- At-Large: Brian Pridgeon (Branch), Emily Boeve (Ottawa)
- Promotion & Education: Stacey Lauwers (St. Clair)
- Young Farmer: Jeff Dreves (NW Michigan), Lane Grieser (Montcalm), Chris Sanford (Jackson) and Mitch Kline (Kalamazoo)
- Board of Directors: Patrick McGuire (chair), Michael Mulders and Leona Daniels
If you’re a member that’s interested in eventually serving on the committee during your Farm Bureau leadership journey, hearing from issue experts with exclusive updates is a (huge) bonus. On top of that, you have a front row seat to the entire policy development process from start to finish — our grassroots power at its finest. Here’s a sampling of individuals the PD subcommittees heard from this year:
- Mollie Woods from the MSU Product Center reviewed food processing industry trends.
- Moses Teel with the North Dakota Grain Inspection Service educated the group on Vomitoxin testing standards.
- Jessica Randall, infrastructure and data director at the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office shared updates on broadband funding and accessibility.
- Ron Kendall, legislative specialist from the County Road Association of Michigan spoke on trends, emerging issues and funding.
- Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan reviewed the state’s property tax system, its challenges and potential reforms.
- Jeno Rivera with the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology shared enrollment data, program updates and more.
- Kelli Saunders, vice president of policy and engagement at the Small Business Association of Michigan discussed minimum wage and paid sick leave issues.
- Dyck Van Koevering shared insurance-related updates from the Insurance Alliance of Michigan.
- Several staff from the American Farm Bureau Federation presented on issues including agriculture workforce, artificial intelligence, tax reform and more.
- MFB staff delivered updates on education and leadership programs, the farm bill and climate issues.
Questions about the committee, the organization’s policy development process or participation at the state annual meeting can be directed to Emily Reinart, MFB’s grassroots policy outreach specialist.
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