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Members in Politics Project Team
Summary Report: May 15, 2020
Board Priority
Farmers in politics: Proactively surface and retain farmer regular members to serve as political and governmental officials who support and promote agriculture.
Board Goal
By 2022, we will increase (compared to 2017 data) agricultural representatives serving in the legislature by 20% and increase the overall number of farmer members who serve in elected or appointed posts by 20%.
Assigned Staff Team: Matt Kapp, John Kran, Kim Kerr, Becca Gulliver, Andrew Vermeesch, Tim Rogers, Rebecca Park
What We Accomplished:
• Conducted Census of Farmers who serve in gov- ernment
• 2nd Academy for Political Leadership
• Videos promoting the need for farmers to serve in Government
• Abby Jacobson
• Luke Meerman
• Sarah Lightner
• Voice of Ag breakout
• YFLC breakout
What We Plan Yet to Do:
• Utilized CEC trainings to promote the need for farmers to get involved in government
• AgriPac breakfast
• Series in Farm Gate and Michigan Farm News informing members about various elected or ap- pointed positions and opportunities to serve:
• Township, County Planning Commissioner
• County Road Commissioner
• Township Supervisor
• More to come!
• Continue series in Farm Gate & Farm News
• Promote the Farm Gate series via social media
• Elect Friends of Agriculture
• Key upcoming elections August & November 2020
• After November Election conduct second census to track results
• Utilize 2020 AgriPac breakfast
Recommendations Moving Forward – The need for more farmer representation in government will never cease. As an agricultural organization we always should be focused on promoting and encouraging farmers to serve in government. Here are some methods moving forward to help achieve this:
• Continue member political education on government, elections and campaigns through continued emphasis on MFB’s Academy for Political Leadership.
• Utilize Michigan Farm Bureau events such as state annual meeting, Young Farmers Leaders Conference, Lan- sing Legislative Seminar, Washington Legislative Seminar, etc. to promote political education and the need for farmers to run for office.
• Stay involved in MSU’s Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) by promoting FB member involvement.
• Utilize the AgriPac endorsement process to help elect more farmers in government.
• Encourage county Farm Bureaus to recruit and work to elect farmers in township and county government.