Page 45 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

46 the end of 2020 the number of MAEAP verifications will
47 increase to 6,000. As of October 2017, MAEAP
48 reached 4,328 total on-farm verifications. We support
49 changes that were made to strengthen MAEAP and its
50 funding through PA 118 of 2015. Program funds come
51 from Michigan’s general fund and the Freshwater
52 Protection Fund. We support the changes made to the
53 Freshwater Protection Fund which require all users of
54 industrial fertilizer (e.g., farmers, homeowners, golf
55 courses) pay a fee into the fund.
56 MFB members should lead the conversation on the
57 definition of sustainable agriculture. We must put
58 programs such as MAEAP and the GAAMPs front and
59 center, highlighting how farmers today are producing
60 safe and sustainable food, fuel and fiber.
61 We support legislation and marketing efforts that
62 would communicate to the general public that MAEAP
63 verified farms are held to the highest standard of
64 sustainability and we urge the Michigan Department of
65 Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to
66 develop an outstanding and recognizable “Pure
67 Michigan”-style labeling program (such as “Pure
68 Michigan-Verified Farm”) that adds value to products of
69 MAEAP verified farms.
70 The Farm Bill provides opportunities for farmers to
71 address conservation programs on farms. We
72 encourage the continued refining of conservation
73 program delivery to ensure that the process is
74 transparent, consistent and simple to participating
75 farmers. We appreciate newly available technical and
76 financial assistance to address on-farm above ground
77 fuel tanks and liquid fertilizer storage. We encourage the
78 development of nutrient management plans for all
79 farms.
80 Regulatory Authority & Responsibility
81 To protect the environment and enhance production
82 agriculture, we challenge state departments and federal
83 agencies to work together to produce more user-friendly
84 programs that provide clear direction and consistent
85 regulatory authority on farms. Oversight of farms should
86 be focused on solving problems and not simply on
87 penalizing producers.
88 Farmers who violate state environmental law or fail to
89 conform to the Right to Farm program are under the
90 jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Quality
91 (DEQ). While the vast majority of farms are putting forth
92 a considerable effort and are environmentally safe, we
93 recognize the potential for environmental problems. We
94 support:
95  Timely,effectiveandconsistentenforcementof
96 environmental laws against producers who
Delegate Session: Thursday– Page 3