Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross recently spoke to Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees and MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz about the future of agriculture and the organization’s longstanding connection with the university.
In his comments during the Feb. 7 meeting of the MSU Board of Trustees, LaCross harkened back to the formation of the Michigan Farm Bureau.
“106 years ago, a group of farmers got together on this campus to organize because they knew together, they could engineer a bright future for agriculture in the state of Michigan,” said LaCross, a Leelanau County fruit grower.
“Our first Executive Vice President, Clark Brody, is the namesake of the Brody complex. Our organization and Michigan State University have a long, long history together, so I'm proud to stand here before you today, representing all of Michigan's farmers — from fruit farmers to bean farmers, urban farmers, to dairy farmers — to reinforce the commitment that we have to Michigan State University.”
MFB President Ben LaCross addressed MSU’s Board of Trustees during their Feb. 7 meeting.
Noting that his own leadership path started in 4-H, showing animals at the fair and taking part in MSU Extension programs in his community, LaCross attributed the success of his farm and others around the state to the work that’s done at MSU’s College of Ag and Natural Resources and the university’s AgBioResearch program.
“Your campus programs provide a bright future for thousands of students who gain career training through your educational programs,” LaCross said, adding that he’s proud his son will be attending MSU next year to study mechanical engineering.
“106 years ago, a group of farmers believed in this university,” LaCross concluded.
“They believed in the future of agriculture. I stand before you today with that same belief.”