LANSING, Mich. — Delegates to Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) 96th annual meeting will convene early next month to take up a docket of policy proposals that, once ratified, will direct the organization’s actions in 2016.

More than 400 delegates representing MFB’s 65 county-level Farm Bureaus will gather Dec. 1-3 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids to fine-tune more than 100 proposed resolutions, consolidated from a pool of 800 submitted from across the state to MFB’s Policy Development Committee.

With a focus on issues impacting Michigan agriculture, some of the policy topics include road funding, broadband availability, data security, water, wetlands, wildlife and urban farming. Sarah Black, director of MFB’s Public Policy and Commodity Division, expects a few to spark discussion among delegates.

With Michigan’s legislature in the early stages of debating the state’s future energy programs, delegates will debate changes to the organization’s energy policy. The amended language fine-tunes existing policy by emphasizing the need for adequate and affordable energy for residents and businesses, agriculture’s vulnerability to energy interruptions and price volatility and concerns about keeping utility companies’ land-rental rates in check with fair market value.

“We have heard quite a bit of chatter and concern about natural gas and how to get it extended into rural areas,” Black explained, “as well as the availability of three-phase electric in some areas. It’s really about having the right infrastructure for agriculture to grow in the state.”

While Farm Bureau’s national policy supports drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), used for commercial purposes, more than a dozen county Farm Bureaus submitted resolutions calling for a separate state policy addressing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) issues.

Black said this is an evolving issue, with concerns from those at the county level regarding drone activity in several areas of the state. According to MFB field crops specialist Kate Krepps, members support UAS management through the Federal Aviation Administration, but they foresee several state-level issues needing attention.

“Some of the issues our members identified in their policy proposals included privacy, private property rights, nuisance, reckless endangerment, proprietary data, safety and insurance,” she said.

Black added some recent activity has sparked more questions at the local Farm Bureau level regarding the responsibility of local law enforcement and whether they have jurisdiction when a complaint arises.

New language regarding the Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will also be considered, with increased focus on strengthening in-state education, outreach and oversight. Traditionally considered a national issue, MFB’s state-level policy development committee feels there should be a means to address Michigan-specific NRCS issues identified by county Farm Bureaus.

“This state-level NRCS policy calls for more effective communication strategies to increase awareness of available programs and resources,” said Laura Campbell, manager of MFB’s Agricultural Ecology Department. “It also stresses the importance of farmer input and representation as part of NRCS programs.”

In response to needs identified by MFB’s livestock and dairy members and other industry stakeholders, delegates will consider a new policy titled “Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture” (MAAA).

“In the early 1990s, the Animal Industry Initiative at Michigan State University enabled the creation of state-of-the-art facilities, research projects and faculty positions to fulfill industry needs,” noted Ernie Birchmeier, MFB livestock and dairy specialist. “It was a successful program, but with ever-changing production practices and consumer demands, the industry has collaborated to plan for an updated support system; the MAAA policy encompasses their work.” He also likened the new policy concept to the plant industry’s Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs). The draft language addresses stakeholder representation from the industry, academia and government; research needs; extension and workforce development; and funding sources.

Adopted state-level policies will guide MFB staff and member activities through the coming year, and national-level policies will be submitted for consideration to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Convention and Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 9-13, 2016. In addition, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder will speak at the Dec. 1 President’s Luncheon, just prior to the inaugural address from first-year MFB President Carl Bednarski.

On Dec. 2, members will volunteer under their Harvest of All banner to pack winter break bags for Kids’ Food Basket. The care packages will go home with needy children over their winter holiday break, providing meals they otherwise would not receive outside of school.

Throughout the day the MFB’s Young Farmer group will conduct contests that have members ages 18-35 measuring their skills and accomplishments against those of peers from across the state.

Finally, luncheons and banquets will see county Farm Bureaus, individual members and non-member guests recognized for outstanding achievements across a spectrum of farm-friendly endeavors. Other special guests will be recognized for efforts in agricultural education, promotion, communication and 4-H. Scholarship award winners will be honored, as will the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.

To learn more about the meeting’s aims, visit www.michfb.com/MI/Annual