More than 250 farmers from across the state converged on downtown Lansing Feb. 25 for their annual opportunity, as Farm Bureau members, for one-on-one face time with the elected officials who represent them in state government. A marquee event on Michigan Farm Bureau’s yearly cycle of grassroots politicking, Lansing Legislative Seminar offers the organization’s members an opportunity for firsthand contact with lawmakers, regulatory officials and other state-level leaders whose decision-making regularly impacts agriculture.
This year’s Seminar was the first overseen by new MFB President Ben LaCross, the Leelanau County cherry grower elected to lead the organization at last November’s annual meeting.
“We are charting the course of agriculture into the future,” LaCross said in his welcoming remarks, encouraging those in attendance to “relentlessly advocate for our grassroots policy” — especially back home.
“Take what you experience here back to your county Farm Bureaus. That’s where the real work happens.”
Central to the event is an early-afternoon reception that this year drew dozens of state senate and house members to meet with constituents from their district’s farm community.
“It’s so important that we work in coordination with our legislators,” said Kristi Keilen, president of the Clinton County Farm Bureau. “This event is part of how we’re always making sure they understand our issues.”
Current issues topping farmers’ agendas included the Michigan Merit Curriculum and cottage food laws, reforms to earned sick time legislation, and sustaining funding for a stewardship program near and dear to their hearts, the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).
The cottage food update resonated with Kent County Farm Bureau member Nicole Zaagman, whose agritourism venture deals in maple syrup and homemade jams she’s eager to start selling online.
“This is a great opportunity to engage face-to-face with lawmakers,” Zaagman said. “I don’t know any other organization that does this for its members.”
The day started with a fundraiser for AgriPac, an organ of the organization’s public policy work that supports elected officials whose priorities — and voting records — that align with those of Michigan farmers. Speaking at that breakfast was a pair of former legislators from both sides of the aisle: John Cherry, former lieutenant governor under Jennifer Granholm, and former U.S. Congressman and State Senator Mike Bishop, a Republican from Oakland County.
Despite coming from either side of the aisle, the pair spoke as one on behalf of their bipartisan Democracy Defense Project, an effort to defend the transparency, safety and security of the nation’s electoral system. Bolstering the effort’s credibility is the involvement of rival former governors, Democrat James Blanchard and Republican John Engler.
Other morning programming for attendees included issue briefings from MFB staff, breakout sessions updating members on environmental and economic issues, and presentation of MFB’s 2025 Excellence in Grassroots Lobbying Award to the Monroe County Farm Bureau.
The event wrapped with an afternoon leadership panel featuring Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Aric Nesbitt.
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