Farm estate planning

The USDA reports that 70% of U.S. farmland will likely change hands during the next two decades. Even more critically, it’s estimated that half of farming families are operating without an estate plan in place. Is your family’s legacy part of these statistics?

Small-scale, local producers get improved insurance coverage through new Micro Farm policy

Agricultural producers with small-scale farms who sell locally can now get simplified insurance coverage through a new policy designed for their needs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed the new Micro Farm policy, which simplifies recordkeeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products.

Microloan applications are open

In partnership with Grain Train Natural Foods Markets and Oryana Community Co-op, we are excited to announce that applications are again open for zero-interest microloans with flexible repayment terms for farms and food-related businesses in 12 Northwest Michigan counties.

Concerned about foreign ownership of American farmland?

One common topic that comes up at almost any meeting Michigan Farm Bureau staff attend is foreign ownership of land in the United States.

According to a USDA Farm Service Agency report “Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land,” foreign investors held interest in nearly 35.2 million acres as of Dec. 31, 2019, accounting for roughly 2.7 percent of all privately held agricultural land ag land in U.S. and 1.5% of all land in the U.S., including both forest land and farm ground.

Increasing farm profitability with solar power

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it is funding a new project led by iSEE Interim Director Madhu Khanna to optimize design for “agrivoltaic” systems — fields with both crops and solar panels — that will maintain crop production, produce renewable energy, and increase farm profitability.

West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center to host field day

Michigan State University and the new West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center will host an AgBioResearch and MSU Extension Field Day from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 19.

The field day will allow the West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center to showcase its new facilities, ongoing research projects related to tree fruit, and future planting and research plans.

AFBF partnership aims to boost minority involvement in ag

AFBF and the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) announced they’ve entered into an agreement with the goal of increasing minority involvement in agriculture.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed Monday is expected to strengthen membership value for both organizations through collaboration on projects, including written content for each organization’s publications, providing leadership training and expertise, and cross promoting programs and events.

AFBF statement on confusion surrounding a proposed methane tax

American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President for Public Affairs Sam Kieffer commented today on confusion surrounding a proposed methane tax.

“To clear up any confusion, I want to make clear that the current language of the reconciliation bill does not impose a methane tax on agriculture.

Michigan Budget Strengthens Ag Investments

The Michigan legislature increased the state’s agriculture budget by more than 50 percent in general funding which Michigan Farm Bureau says solidifies the importance of the sector brought forth during the pandemic.

Is Michigan’s industrial hemp future in the automotive industry?

Michigan’s hemp industry could get up to $100 million in federal funds to help it compete globally under a proposal pushed by a nationwide growers association.