DETROIT — New House Ag Committee Chair Reggie Miller supports agriculture and is ready to learn more.
She’s a clean slate, she told Michigan Farm News at the District 3 Legislative Seminar in Detroit.
It’s why Miller recently networked with farmers and ag leaders during Michigan Farm Bureau’s legislative reception. There, she learned more about right to repair, an aging farmer population, and why ag education is critical for future industry growth.
“I'm here to support you; I'm here to support all farmers,” Rep. Miller (D-Van Buren Township) said.
“When I learn an issue, I dig in and fight, and I'm a great influencer. It takes time to build these relationships. (Farmers) don't know me, but they will know me, and they'll trust me.”
This year, MFB’s Lansing Legislative Seminar (LLS) took place at seven Michigan locations, a switch from the annual Lansing event. It provided members and legislators an opportunity to network, talk shop, and learn more about the issues affecting them in their districts.
Oakland County Farm Bureau member Liz Snoblen used the seminar to maintain and build relationships with local politicians. She referenced a time when her township wouldn’t let her property be rezoned to agriculture. MFB then told her about right to farm, a 1981 law that denies nuisance lawsuits against farmers.
“Through that educational process, it made me understand the value of making sure our local government, our county government, our state government, and our national government understand the importance of farming and the impact we have on our local economies,” Snoblen said.
“That's what this is all about — maintaining that relationship and trying to get ahead of it before you need to rely on it legally, right? With all the redistricting going on, there are going to be a lot of new relationships.”
County Farm Bureau members also had the opportunity to visit the Eastern Market, Germack and Planted Detroit.
Learn more about LLS here.
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