By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — A series of educational workshops to focus on hot agricultural topics will highlight Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) 91st annual meeting.

On Dec. 1, two workshops will offer a look at issues associated with Congress crafting a new farm bill and on connecting with consumers through new and traditional forms of communication.

Three breakout sessions focused on a specific commodity sector will help MFB members prepare for discussion. Chris Wolf, a Michigan State University agricultural economics professor who specializes in dairy issues, will lead a session on national dairy policy.

Roger Betz, farm management senior educator for the MSU extension Southwest District, will conduct a session focused on row crop risk management. MSU agricultural economics professor David Schweikhardt will lead a session devoted to specialty crops such as fruits and vegetables.

The second workshop is an extension of MFB’s ongoing Farmers Commitment to Agriculture while Respecting our Earth (CARE) campaign, which aims to help the public understand how farmers care about safe food, their animals, the environment and Michigan’s future.

Mike Haley, an Ohio grain and cattle farmer and vice president of the AgChat Foundation, will discuss using social media such as YouTube and Twitter to bridge the gap with consumers. Ben LaCross, a Leelanau County fruit grower and member of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Committee, will also present.

Grand Rapids Press freelance writer Matt Vande Bunte will join them for a panel discussion to share a media perspective on communicating with consumers.

The MFB Promotion and Education (P&E) Committee will conduct workshops Dec. 2 to explore techniques for interacting with different audiences and expressing shared values at the core of the Farmers CARE campaign. Guest presenters include newly elected state Sens. Joe Hune and Judy Emmons and MSU sociology professor Toby Ten Eyck, who specializes in public perceptions and mass media reporting of food concerns.

The workshop series includes four breakout sessions that will teach MFB members how to best communicate with legislators and the press, educate consumers on modern-day agricultural technology and use MFB’s Farmers CARE resources to conduct farm tours, classroom lessons and other activities.

MFB will recognize winners of the Farmer Idea Exchange, County Activities of Excellence, Ecology Leadership and Volunteer of the Year Awards during the President’s Banquet Nov. 30.
MFB President Wayne H. Wood will deliver his 10th annual address to MFB members at the banquet. New this year, Wood’s address will be Webcast live on MFB’s annual meeting website at www.michfb.com/annual

Activities for young farmers ages 18-35 kick off Dec. 1 when contestants advance through several rounds of competition in the Young Farmer Discussion Meet, a public speaking contest on agricultural topics. The Michigan FFA will hold its state-level Discussion Meet for high school finalists that day, too.

MFB will recognize contestants in its Young Farmer competitions Dec. 1 at a luncheon. Also, MFB and Michigan 4-H Youth Development will present the fourth annual 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Later that day, young farmers will be recognized and various winners announced at the Celebrating Michigan’s Rising Stars Banquet. The accolades continue Dec. 2 when MFB will present the K-12 Educator, Agriscience Educator, Agricultural Promoter and Agricultural Communicator of the Year awards at a luncheon sponsored by the P&E Committee.

Finally, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture presentation will take place at a Dec. 2 banquet.