In 1855, the Michigan Legislature passed Act 130 which provided for the establishment of the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. Michigan Agricultural College was the first college in the United States to offer agriculture courses for credit. Today, Michigan State University (MSU) is recognized as a leader in higher learning and agricultural research, extension and youth development. To maintain this status, we support the following:
Expanded utilization of current farmland assets on campus at MSU with the goal of no net loss of farmland/farm and agriculture education facilities.
State funding for MSU placing it in a comparable academic and financial status with other distinguished land grant research universities.
MSU to publish a strategic plan for the future of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) that meets the needs of students and farmers in Michigan.
The CANR and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) have historically provided a strong foundation for educating generations of individuals involved in agriculture in Michigan, the nation and worldwide. We continue to support these colleges and urge them to work closely with stakeholders, including producers, to address the research, resource, and information needs of the agriculture industry, as well as the curriculum focus of agricultural job providers.
Encourage a higher rate of CVM graduates to address the shortage of large animal veterinarians practicing in Michigan.
MSU forming partnerships with affected farmers and state agencies to research PFAS soil contamination and how it can be safely used and mitigated for continued agricultural use.
The agriscience education program, including a master’s degree program, and a renewed effort to increase the number of graduates who are accredited to teach agricultural education in Michigan.
Re-establishing the Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications Program.
Programs and policies encouraging increased enrollment of students in agricultural degree programs.
Increased incorporation of agricultural literacy into programs preparing elementary and secondary teachers in other degree areas.
Michigan Farm Bureau working with MSU to explore the development of an Agriculture 101 course for all students.
In recognition of the challenges of managing farm stress, MSU should consider exploring continuing education in farm stress and rural mental health for professionals working in mental health and public service.
Students’ ability to apply directly to the CANR and CVM, not the University as a whole.
CANR and CVM expanding their recruitment efforts within the state, including efforts to work through existing organizations to promote educational and career opportunities, and encouraging students to apply in the spring of their junior year of high school to CANR, and to CVM for veterinary nursing.
Reestablishing the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine stakeholder advisory committee.
Reestablishing/filling the MSU equine extension position in CVM and CANR.
CANR and CVM making a concerted and focused effort recruiting students from FFA chapters, 4-H programs and agricultural businesses in Michigan.
The two-year agricultural technology program which provides a valuable service to Michigan agriculture and should be recognized as a highlight of the CANR.
Improvements to the MSU Institute of Agriculture Technology program to better serve the needs of students, employers, businesses, industry and consumers.
Institute of Agriculture Technology credits being allowed to fully transfer into four-year programs at MSU.
Continued expansion of partnerships with community colleges and other four-year institutions throughout the state to increase development of these career tracks offered by the CANR.
A more realistic financial performance requirement from the university administration for the farms based upon the realities of the real-world farming business while working in the university setting.
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and AgBioResearch (ABR)
MSUE and ABR must work closely with production agriculture, agribusiness and other research entities to conduct, research, and disseminate the results. This outreach should focus on prioritized industry needs.
We support:
Increasing state and federal funding for MSUE and ABR, to maintain historical high standards of agricultural research and outreach programs.
Funding for Project GREEEN, including additional funding for three to five-year projects.
A re-emphasis and expedited hiring process for filling extension educator and specialist positions and research-related faculty positions. This should address the emerging needs and priority issues of the production agriculture industry.
Public posting of administrative level positions to find the most qualified candidates.
The research/extension specialist program on and off campus. These positions have provided direct contact with stakeholders who provide direction for field-applied research.
A focus on core agricultural programs.
MSUE considering years of applied career experience in lieu of a master’s/bachelor’s degree as an alternate avenue to recruit top-tier applicants into MSUE educator and 4-H program coordinator/instructor positions.
Michigan 4-H youth programs and encourage MFB and county Farm Bureaus to assist in state and local 4-H activities. We recognize the educational efforts and impact of youth experiences in animal projects and plant science projects.
Extension plans for 4-H staffing and programming involving volunteer stakeholders as they are critical to program success.
MFB continuing its partnership with the 4-H Capitol Experience. The partnership will encourage students to participate in a high-quality youth leadership experience, with continued support from county Farm Bureaus.
The formation of an advisory board of MFB members to guide extension agricultural staffing plans and programs.
MSU continuing to share financial information regarding investments in agricultural programming at the University and within AgBioResearch and Extension programs in order to facilitate stakeholder partnerships and better support research faculty.
University and Industry Collaboration
To strengthen relationships between MSU and Farm Bureau, we encourage:
Partnering with county Farm Bureaus to promote MSU CANR and CVM to prospective students.
Targeted recruitment toward the agriculture community, including but not limited to 4-H and FFA students.
Attendance and participation between county Farm Bureaus and MSU staff/faculty at respective activities.
County and regional extension personnel attending county Farm Bureau board meetings on a regular basis.
Fostering relationships between Institute of Agriculture Technology programs at MSU and community colleges with county Farm Bureaus.
Promotion and support of Collegiate Farm Bureau activities at MSU and community college Institute of Agriculture Technology programs by county Farm Bureaus and MFB.
Agriculture representation on the MSU Board of Trustees.
Greater Farm Bureau and farmer representation on the MSUE/ABR stakeholder council, CANR, and department stakeholder advisory committees.
An emphasis on filling on and off-campus vacant teaching positions in a timely manner.
MFB to continue to meet with the leadership of MSU to discuss the critical importance of the land grant mission to Michigan agriculture. MFB must continue to partner with other agriculture industry leaders to work with leadership at MSU to reevaluate their educational and outreach programs and refocus their efforts on core programs directly or indirectly related to agriculture.
MFB collaborating with MSU to create a committee to develop recommendations for alternatives, in addition to grower check offs, to funding university agriculture faculty start-up packages.
MFB collaborating with MSU in the development of tools/training programs to address the agricultural labor/on farm training needs of current and future farm employees.