LANSING, Mich. — More than 1,000 Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) members will explore “Big Challenges. Big Opportunities,” during the organization’s 92nd annual meeting Nov. 29-Dec. 2, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

During the meeting, 488 members from Michigan’s 67 county Farm Bureaus will serve as voting delegates, charged with adopting organizational policies on state and national issues. Resolutions adopted at the meeting dealing with state issues will direct MFB action in 2012.

Beginning Nov. 29, delegates will consider 148 resolutions on a range of issues including the proposed New International Trade Crossing, state regulations for game farms and hunting preserves, wildlife management, proposed U.S. Department of Labor regulations regarding youth agricultural employment, as well as a federal agricultural guest worker program, the new farm bill and national dairy policy.

Adopted resolutions dealing with national issues will be forwarded to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for consideration at its annual meeting Jan. 8-11, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Members also will hear from and meet with a variety of special guests. On Dec. 1, Gov. Rick Snyder will be the guest speaker at MFB’s annual banquet. It’s anticipated he will recap some of the legislative achievements during his first year in office and elaborate on his continuing plans for Michigan’s economic recovery, including improvements to the state’s infrastructure and expanded opportunities to grow the ag industry.

Earlier that day, Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon is scheduled to provide an update on MSU’s strategic restructuring plans. In addition, Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and executive of the state’s “Quality of Life” group, will update delegates on related activities.

High school state officers for Michigan FFA will be at the Dec. 1 policy session to thank MFB for its financial support of the 2011 FFA Washington Leadership Conference, and present MFB President Wayne H. Wood with an Honorary American FFA Degree.

During the AgriPac breakfast Dec. 1, Dawson Bell, a Detroit Free Press reporter, and Susan Demas, a weekly syndicated political columnist and political analyst for the Michigan Information and Research Service, are the guest speakers. The pair will engage in a moderated discussion on the dynamics of the 2012 election – Michigan’s first since the redistricting process this summer.

During the president’s banquet Nov. 29, MFB will honor the winners of the County Activities of Excellence, Ecology Leadership and Volunteer of the Year awards.

New this year, MFB will recognize a county Farm Bureau for working with its local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office on “Michigan Agriculture’s Best Collaborative Conservation Project.”

The state’s Young Farmer group will take center stage Nov. 30 in the Young Farmer Discussion Meet. That day, MFB will recognize contestants in its young farmer competitions at a luncheon sponsored by its Young Farmer Committee.

Young farmers will also get the full star treatment that evening at the “Celebrating Michigan’s Rising Stars” banquet.

In other recognition, at the Nov. 30 evening banquet MFB will celebrate the work of county Farm Bureau volunteers in helping feed those less fortunate through Harvest for All. This is a national program that encourages Farm Bureaus to help fight hunger in their local communities by donating surplus agricultural commodities, non-perishable food products, money or volunteer hours to local food banks.

The accolades continue Dec. 1 when MFB presents the Agricultural Educator, Promoter and Communicator of the Year awards at the Promotion & Education luncheon. The pinnacle of all MFB awards, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture, is reserved for the annual banquet that evening.

The 10th annual Taste of Michigan reception also is slated for Dec. 1, where approximately 30 exhibitors will showcase Michigan-grown and -processed food and beverage products for MFB members and invited guests.