Senate votes to restrict foreign ownership of ag land

The Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to prohibit China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from purchasing U.S. agricultural land and agricultural businesses.

In Our Corner: Michigan's New Agriculture Leader Talks Support For The Cherry Capital Of The World

From support for the embattled cherry industry to enthusiasm for potentially gamechanging regenerative agriculture initiatives, Tim Boring, the new director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), has a lengthy list of priorities that directly involve northern Michigan and its agricultural economy.

Legislature finalizes state agriculture budget, Farm Bureau expert analyze

“There’s a lot to talk about in this budget that impacts agriculture and our farmer members,” said Michigan Farm Bureau Legislative Counsel Rebecca Park, launching a conversation on the recently passed state budget.  

The Legislature finalized the 1,000-plus page appropriations bill on party-line votes: 61-47 in the House and 26-10 in the Senate. Now the $15.2 billion general fund budget for 2023-24 awaits Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s final approval. 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will receive $92.7 million of the general funds available, and MSU Extension and AgBioResearch will receive an impressive 5% boost. 

Greenbelt Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary with New Affordable Farmland Access Opportunity

The Ann Arbor Greenbelt's 20th anniversary also marks the program's first-ever affordable farmland purchasing opportunity via its buy-protect-sell initiative. Farmers are invited to submit a proposal to buy protected farmland that is being sold at a reduced price thanks to this new initiative. “This is a space where land preservation can offer new triple bottom-line sustainability outcomes," said Land Acquisition Supervisor Rosie Pahl Donaldson. “There is an abundance of farmland seekers in the Ann Arbor area, with soaring property prices presenting a common barrier to land ownership for farmers that have been leasing farmland for years and for ones that are just getting started. If you are a farmer interested in purchasing land in the greater Ann Arbor area, especially for the first time, this opportunity may be right for you.

MICHIGAN BUDGET CREATES NEW AG PROGRAMS

The Michigan legislature has funded several new projects in the state’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for the next fiscal year.

Farm accounting: What’s going on with QuickBooks?

The most commonly used accounting software system for GreenStone customers these days is QuickBooks. The product is easy to use and has been relatively cheap in the past. Recently we have been receiving a lot of questions from customers asking what is going on with QuickBooks and its product and pricing changes in the past year.

In this article we hope to provide insight into the changes QuickBooks has made recently, how these changes might impact its users, and what you should consider moving forward with your accounting system.

These Four Challenges Will Shape the Next Farm Bill – And How the U.S. Eats

For the 20th time since 1933, Congress is writing a multiyear farm bill that will shape what kind of food U.S. farmers grow, how they raise it and how it gets to consumers. These measures are large, complex and expensive: The next farm bill is projected to cost taxpayers US$1.5 trillion over 10 years. Modern farm bills address many things besides food, from rural broadband access to biofuels and even help for small towns to buy police cars. These measures bring out a dizzying range of interest groups with diverse agendas.

USDA Announces $45 Million Funding Opportunity to Support Underserved and Veteran Farmers, Ranchers,

USDA announced approximately $45 million available to organizations that help underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the 2501 Program. For more than 30 years, and in partnership with organizations nationwide, the 2501 Program has helped reach underserved farmers and ranchers who have experienced barriers to service due to racial or ethnic prejudice. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the program to include assistance to veteran farmers and ranchers. The 2018 Farm Bill increased mandatory funding for the program through fiscal year 2023 with a permanent funding level of $25 million for each year thereafter. With 2501 Program funding, organizations conduct education, training, farming demonstrations, and conferences on farming and agribusiness to increase access to USDA’s programs and services. 

USDA Announces Finalists for Twelve New USDA Regional Food Business Centers and $420 Million in Fund

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of 12 new USDA Regional Food Business Centers that will provide national coverage coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources, thereby closing the gaps to success. In addition, USDA also announced a $420 million Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to fund innovative projects designed invest in processing and distribution capacity to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will partner with state and territories’ departments of agriculture for this program.

Why farm in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula?

Low cost land and a laidback lifestyle may seem appealing, but the basics of successful farming in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are the same as everywhere else: careful planning, efficient use of resources, adaptability, commitment and good luck.