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How do you cut off funding for one of the basics of life?

On Tuesdays, we munched chips and salsa at Chi-Chi’s. On Wednesdays it was Whopper night at Burger King, and Thursday nights brought “Think Thick on Thursdays” with Domino’s Pizza. We loved our food bargains in college. It’s what got us through those tough winter weeks when money was short, it was too cold and too snowy and Econ 201 five days a week was too overwhelming.
Despite my less than stellar performance in Economics, I did learn one thing: Food is a good thing. And right now, the governor of Michigan needs to be reminded of that.

I’m not sure what planet she’s on when she threatens to start chucking funding for the industry that pumps $71.3 billion annually into Michigan’s economy; an industry that employs 24 percent of the workforce and provides one of three requirements for life – food.

Again, I shake my head in amazement. As we wait to see if Gov. Jennifer Granholm will slice into agriculture to make up for budget pitfalls, I can’t help but wonder why she would bite the hand that feeds her? Maybe she doesn’t like fresh fruits and vegetables. Maybe she doesn’t like the confidence of knowing the dairy and meat products she consumes are safe to eat because of a thorough inspection process funded through the Ag budget.

Whatever the reason, let me give you the facts on the looming cuts. Gov. Granholm is threatening a line-item veto to eliminate funding of Michigan State University extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.

If she does this, extension offices in every county, up to 15 agricultural and biological research stations across Michigan and green economy-based research and extension programs on campus will close.

Not only would jobs be lost, but 236,000 Michigan youth and 27,000 volunteers would face the elimination of 4-H programming, making Michigan the only state without 4-H youth development. Guess what, county fairs? There go most of your livestock exhibits. Your animal display will be reduced to a petting zoo with a couple of llamas and a goat.

Sitting in a recent 4-H leaders meeting, I listened to our 4-H extension agent explain what may happen to her position. I was listening to someone who had no idea if she would have a job in a month. I was also sitting in a room where I may never sit again if our fearless leader decides to lock the doors and throw away the key to one of the best training grounds for our greatest natural resource in agriculture.

Now that we’ve taken a peek into the future, how can we change it? I’m glad you asked.

Start making noise by contacting your elected officials. Call your state representative and your senator and don’t let it rest. If they agree with the governor, let them know how you feel. If they agree with you, tell them “thank you” and encourage them to keep fighting the good fight.

Then, above all, let the governor know how you feel. Call. Write. E-mail. This is not only your duty – it is your privilege!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.

11/4/2009