In the initial work of Michigan Farm Bureau’s Rural Communities Task Force, the group reviewed research, sought expert input and shared policy recommendations on issues impacting rural communities, including land use, agricultural representation in local government, and food insecurity. Member delegates at MFB’s 2023 State Annual Meeting agreed with the task force’s recommendations, making several amendments and additions to the policy guiding our organization.
To help implement that policy and influence change, our Rural Communities Task Force continued their work into 2024, proposing several ways for county Farm Bureaus and individual members to help support their rural communities. County Farm Bureaus, Community Groups and individual members are encouraged to review the four “corner posts” outlined in September’s newsletter and determine which areas they could influence locally.
How can you and your county Farm Bureau make a positive difference for agriculture in your community? Below you will find responses from our community’s discussions below.
What partnerships or initiatives can county Farm Bureaus develop to bridge the gap between agricultural production and food distribution for food-insecure families?
County Farm Bureaus can:
- Facilitate partnerships with farmers, businesses and organizations to have refrigeration trailers available to bring venison harvested during deer season and special permitting times to the community food banks/members.
- Help facilitate connections to donate fresh produce and commodities directly to food banks.
- Help bridge information gaps by getting the resource info out into the community and into the hands of the families living in our areas.
- Join forces to help promote and support programs to battle food insecurity that are already in existence. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Donating food from gardens to food banks and local pantries. We need to educate young families on how to prepare and cook fresh foods that have be donated. (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
The churches in our community take care of the food pantry. Too many people don’t care to get a job. Some of our stores have cut their hours because they can’t get enough help. Maybe we feed them too well? (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
Encourage food donations at meetings, families seem more likely to bring food than donate money. Allow gleaning of vegetable fields. Donate overflow from your garden to local organizations already established. (Green Meadow Plow Jockeys CAG; Kalamazoo County)
How can the agricultural community leverage its resources to support local food banks and reduce the number of children facing food insecurity?
Use the food that’s currently offered to all kids be used in more specific programing to help those people who need more support — and ensure that food isn’t wasted. Support farmers market “leftovers” or community cooler in a blessing box style so that people are less hesitant to utilize the resource. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Many organizations already donate. Make it known in the community that there is a need. (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
No need for children to be hungry. They get WIC until they are 5 and then they get breakfast and lunch in school. It used to be the parents’ responsibility to see their kids have food. Too much waste in schools and elsewhere. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
What specific actions can County Farm Bureaus take to ensure that agricultural interests are effectively represented in local government decisions and planning?
Support members and encourage them to run for office. When speaking with people about where they might be a good fit, give them an idea of what they might be doing. Send people to the leadership academies and give them the resources what we have about running for local government. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Attend township meetings. Make yourself and your groups concerns heard. (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
Get involved! (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
Run for office, get involved, go to meetings. (Green Meadow Plow Jockeys CAG; Kalamazoo County)
How can county Farm Bureau members increase their influence in local zoning and planning boards to ensure agricultural interests are considered in development decisions?
Encouragement for those sitting on the boards, and industry professionals, to share their voice. Host officials out on our farms and businesses to showcase why the matters at hand are important for agriculture. Attend meetings to know what’s going on even if you don’t have a specific reason to be there. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Make an effort to be part of organizations. Attend meetings. (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
Go to the meetings. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
What role can county Farm Bureaus play in educating local officials about the long-term impacts of land-use decisions on agriculture?
Networking. Conversations and connections are important for this. Networking and having people who are educated and passionate about local land use that are available for community members to engage. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Attend meetings/hearings and make yourself heard. Have regional meetings. Invite/encourage other groups to attend. (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
Farm Bureau could see they are represented at those kind of meetings. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
Look at food-insecure families. Processed foods are cheaper than fresh. Zoning has not worked in our county. The city keeps growing and money talks for development. (Green Meadow Plow Jockeys CAG; Kalamazoo County)
How can county Farm Bureau members balance the need for development with the preservation of agricultural land in their communities?
Encourage previously established buildings/infrastructure to be revitalized before slapping up new development and energy infrastructure on viable land. Having a pulse on things like master plans, potential future developments and planning at the township and county level to make a space for growth but to also sustain agriculture in the area. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Enroll in PA-116 and stop solar panels or windmills on farmland, (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
What are the most pressing broadband challenges faced by your community, and how can Farm Bureau’s policies address these issues effectively?
Permitting and legal process. Farm Bureau can provide help with networking and resources. The balance of the funding for this infrastructure to make broadband available to everyone is a challenge. Rural areas are expensive to reach with the utilities needed to make this possible due to cost. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Access to broadband. (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
Not all use them. Too much they can snoop into private people’s businesses. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
The state needs to be convinced to take the leadership in broadband for all the state. Treat it like a utility, like electricity. Other states are doing this; our example is Minnesota. (Green Meadow Plow Jockeys CAG; Kalamazoo County)
How can county Farm Bureaus collaborate with technology providers and local governments to create customized solutions for improving broadband access in diverse rural areas?
County Farm Bureaus can be the link. Farm Bureau members are dealing with this challenge and could be meeting the technology companies and local government as a united group with a bit more reach and push than a single person. (2024-25 ProFILE Class)
Have new data to support new infrastructure. (AgVentures CAG; Saginaw County)
Not everyone uses it, but taxpayers’ money is being used. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
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