Michigan Continues Strong Representation on AFBF Issue Advisory Committee

Committee members from Michigan Farm Bureau will meet with elected officials as they have in past years during their meeting with members from across the country next month. | Michigan Farm Bureau

Nine representatives from Michigan are serving on AFBF’s Issue Advisory Committee, bringing the state’s unique perspective to topics including ag labor, animal care, energy, food safety, marketing and water to the national stage.

Outcomes of the committees’ deliberations include advice and counsel to the AFBF Board of Directors on policy-related actions AFBF might take, recommendations for state Farm Bureau policy development, and policy recommendations to the AFBF Resolutions Committee.

Three new members from Michigan were appointed to two-year terms on the following committees:

  • Monte Bordner – Animal care
  • Bob Mantey – Water
  • Thomas Piepkow – Agricultural labor

They join six previously appointed committee members:

  • Mike Bronkema – Organic and direct marketing
  • Seth Earl – Budget and economy
  • John Forell – Energy
  • Sarah Greiner – Food safety
  • Nick Schweitzer – Technology
  • Isaiah Wunsch – Farm policy

“Michigan agriculture is unique, and it’s great to see our state well represented on Issue Advisory Committees,” said MFB National Legislative Counsel John Kran.

“This will be a great opportunity for our leaders to work with their peers from across the country on developing policy recommendations to position our organization on developing issues. While in Washington, we plan to take some time and meet with our elected officials and advocate for our industry.”

AFBF President Zippy Duvall said committee members have made significant contributions to AFBF’s mission, from participating in advocacy fly-ins and doing media interviews to helping develop comments on proposed regulations and providing input into the resolutions process.

“It’s a valuable resource to be able to steer Farm Bureau policy development toward the issues that are specific to each of our industries on any of the committees,” said Nick Schweitzer, an apple grower from Sparta and Technology Issue Advisory Committee member.

“It’s a way for us to look at the issues that affect us directly as an industry and pass our thoughts and feelings for what’s coming down the road in terms of issues to be able to make those necessary changes to policy and work with lawmakers to get things changed or make policy better overall.”

The committee will meet in Arlington, Virginia, next month.

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