Page 168 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

State Policies – Page
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57 Michigan’s 100 plus AFNRE programs and FFA
58 programs are important to the future success of Michigan
59 agriculture. These programs provide future leadership to
60 the agricultural industry and many programmatic and
61 leadership opportunities for non-farm students to learn
62 about and understand agriculture, natural resources and
63 the environment.
64 Due to the lack of qualified people willing to lead these
65 programs, Farm Bureau supports AFNRE emergency
66 certification programs, as well as the hiring of retired ag
67 teachers to fill these positions without any retirement
68 penalties.
69 We encourage consideration be given to student loan
70 payoff or scholarship programs to help promote AFNRE
71 programs through private or public partnerships.
72 We support the continued activities of private and
73 public companies and organizations, like those of Agro-
74 Culture Liquid Fertilizers, which provide an educational
75 opportunity to the public to learn and experience the role,
76 importance, and economic impact of agriculture in the
77 future of food production for generations to come. 
#41 MICHIGAN AG COUNCIL
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The Michigan Ag Council is currently comprised of more than 15 agriculture related groups in which Michigan Farm Bureau is a partner. This group has taken the lead in developing a collaborative effort which promotes a positive image for agriculture and takes an assertive, proactive approach in telling the story of modern agriculture practices and advancements.
The efforts of the Michigan Ag Council are needed because it is imperative for the stakeholders to write the narrative of Michigan agriculture. Many animal rights and environmental groups are engaging in a misinformation campaign. This information often gets printed or broadcast by the media with very little scrutiny of factual accuracy. They are attempting to redefine what a farm is and distorting the environmental record of farmers.
We encourage the Michigan Ag Council to develop simple educational materials to share with consumers. We recognize the Michigan Ag Council’s expanded
collaboration on national and regional levels. Funding for the Michigan Ag Council is critical. In
order to be successful, it needs to come from a variety of sources focused on Michigan including commodity groups, financial institutions, food processors and retailers. We encourage county Farm Bureaus and individual members to financially support the Council. A broad mix of financing for this joint effort will not only