Legal Defense Fund

“I was recently involved in an agricultural property tax dispute with Courtland Township. The issue was whether the taxable value on a property should be revised because it had been continually qualified agricultural property. The Michigan Farm Bureau Legal Defense Fund agreed to hire outside legal counsel to file an amicus brief with the Michigan Tax Tribunal in support of my position. The issue was particularly important to Michigan farmers who might purchase qualified agricultural property with an uncapped taxable value, and seek to have the value “re-capped.” An adverse ruling would have resulted in higher property taxes for likely hundreds, if not thousands, of Michigan farmers. Ultimately, the Tax Tribunal ruled in our favor, and ordered Courtland Township to re-cap the taxable value. No doubt, Michigan Farm Bureau’s support of my position was key to our success.”

“When we found ourselves in court with a special interest group trying to shut our operation down, participation from the MFB Legal Defense Fund allowed us to defend ourselves in Administrative Law Court. Without participation from MFB, the organization that opposed our farm would have succeeded completely without the facts of the case being known. It is simply a modern reality that a small family farm cannot withstand a legal battle with a well-funded special interest group without financial assistance. We are very grateful to MFB for helping us. Even though the ultimate outcome was not what we hoped for, the settlement was far better than it would have been without help.”

“The Legal Defense Committee is a great part of Farm Bureau because it gives us as Farm Bureau members a chance to help our fellow farmers to help set legal precedence or to stand up for someone who may not be able to on their own. In our judicially charged society it makes me feel better knowing that Farm Bureau has the foresight to have a committee and a fund in place when the opportunity or need arises.”

“We were excited to get the news that Michigan Farm Bureau is financially supporting the cherry industry with their Countervailing Duty and Dumping case against Turkey. Trade has become a huge issue for our industry as we deal with governments that subsidize their growers and processors. US Cherry Growers can compete with anyone in the world if it is fair trade. Today more than ever US Growers are facing cheap imported product that is taking advantage of the markets US Growers have built. We sincerely appreciate Michigan Farm Bureaus help to challenge this unfair competition. We have a long way to go, however this $50,000 level of support will truly make a difference.“