Northwest Michigan - Michigan Farm Bureau

Northwest Michigan
county newsletter
County 27
A Publication of the Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau
January 30, 2015
4-H project book
winners
Northwest County Farm Bureau would like to
congratulate the 2014 4-H project book winners
for the exemplary work.
Rabbit: First - Tristyn Klockziem; Second Megan Klabunde; Third - Laura Klabunde
Steer: First - Ashley Noonan; Second - Andrea
Newman; Third - Jolene Therrien
Junior beef: First - Olivia Hanson; Second Shelby Cade; Third - Allison Fewless
Poultry: First - Brandon Hobbins; Second Allison Gentz; Third - Caleb Gleason
Sheep: First - Abigail Pyle; Second - Annalea
Hobbins; Third - Samuel Grant
Pig: First - Grace Kolbusz; Second - Emilee
McIntyre; Third - Tanner Apsey
Goat: First - Kelsey Bott
Representing Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau at MFB’s 2014 Annual Meeting were (front row, from left) Ella Dreves,
Nancy Heller, Betsy Wagner, Velvet Whittaker; (back row) Ed Breitmeyer, Adam Wagner and Stuart Whittaker.
NW delegates help plot MFB’s
2015 policy
A seven-member delegate team traveled
to Grand Rapids to represent Northwest
County at Michigan Farm Bureau’s 95th
Annual Meeting, Dec. 2-4.
The group consisted of Stuart and Velvet
Whittaker, Greg, Ella and Jeff Dreves, Nancy
Heller, Ed Breitmeyer, Adam Wagner, and
Nick Schaffer. Delegates reviewed and voted
on more than 117 policy recommendations
submitted by county Farm Bureaus statewide.
This was the first trip to the state annual
meeting for Ed Breitmeyer, Nick Schaffer,
and Jeff Dreves.
“The process was extremely interesting,
very similar to Corn Growers but takes into
account all growers issues,” Ed Breitmeyer
said of the event. “I look forward to doing
it again.”
Policy highlights at this year’s annual
included national issues concerning
unmanned aircraft and renewable fuels.
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN
FARM BUREAU
Unmanned aircraft is going to be an issue in
the future. Farm Bureau needs to continue
to develop policy to help design regulations
for these aircraft. Discussion needs to involve
penalties for trespassing and FAA regulations
for drones and remote control hobby aircraft.
“The new policy regarding MFB is the
involvement with 4-H,” said President
Greg Dreves. MFB has decided to end the
YPCS program and partner with 4-H and
their Capitol Experience program. This will
allow Farm Bureau to expand the leadership
development
opportunities
previously
offered to youth by YPCS over the past 50
years. Farm Bureau will work with 4-H staff
to plan recruitment and programming for the
2015 event, which will be held March 22-25.
In addition to policy-setting, delegates had
the opportunity to attend several educational
sessions and award presentations.
District 9 Policy Development Committee Member Greg Dreves
reading a resolution before the Delegates - Annual Meeting
President’s Corner
As this year comes to an end and we look
back on the past year, we would like to recognize
Frank Lipinski for his contribution to Farm
Bureau and agriculture.
Frank served on many committees and
boards both locally and statewide. In 1987, he
received the Farm Bureau Distinguished Service
to Agriculture Award. He was always there to
find an answer when farmers had a question and
will be greatly missed.
One of Frank’s favorite learning opportunities
was the Buckley Farm Show. Several people are
working together to continue this opportunity
for area farmers. The Buckley Farm Show
is planned for Feb. 19 in the basement at St.
Mary’s of Hannah School. Look for further
information.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President Gregory Dreves, Vice President Jeff Aprill; 2nd Vice President: Adam Wagner; BOARD
MEMBERS: Stephen Bott, Autumn Rector, Brent Wagner, Paul Wagner, Stuart Whittaker; YOUNG FARMER CHAIR: Autumn
Rector; COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER: Michele Fries, 540 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686-3452, (231) 947-2941;
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Gregory Dreves, [email protected]
2
Jauary 30, 2015
Bednarski named
MFB president
Tuscola County farmer Carl Bednarski
was elected Dec. 4 as the 16th president of
the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB). Bednarski
served as the District 6 Director on the MFB
Board since 2000.
Bednarski’s organizational involvement
includes six years as vice president of the
Tuscola County Farm Bureau and seven years
on its executive committee. He has served in
several leadership positions at the county, state
and national levels, including the membership,
national affairs, Promotion and Education
and policy development programs, in addition
to service on several commodity advisory
committees.
“This organization is ever-changing and
it ever will change, but we must remember
this process must stay as pure as we can
keep it,” Bednarski said, referring to Farm
Bureau’s member-driven, grass-roots policy
development procedure. “If we lose that
direction, we’ve lost our effectiveness.”
Bednarski and his wife Lisa live near Caro
and have three sons, Carl, Nathan and Michael.
Their family farm raises corn, dry beans, sugar
beets, soybeans and wheat.
Coming this spring: Whole Farm Revenue Protection
The new Whole
Farm
Revenue
Protection policy
will allow you to
insure cash crops,
specialty crops, livestock, organics, fruits and
vegetables that may not have had coverage
available in the past.
Available in all Michigan counties, this
coverage provides protection against loss of
farm revenue up to $8.5 million. This one policy
is designed to protect all your farm income and
may replace multiple policies. Choose your
coverage levels from 50-85 percent. Replant
Be sure to attend an estate
planning seminar!
Don’t miss Michigan Farm Bureau’s Farm
Succession and Estate Planning Seminars to
be held Feb. 4 in Saginaw.
“Transition planning is especially
important for intergenerational farms to
prepare for a change of hands,” said Andy
Kok, General Counsel for Michigan Farm
Bureau. “It’s never too soon to start planning,
but it is especially essential as kids and new
families are brought into the mix.”
The seminar will feature attorneys
Douglas Mielock and Todd Hoppe from
Foster Swift Collins and Smith Law Offices
discussing strategies for passing farm assets to
the next generation. Topics will include wills,
trusts, power of attorney, patient advocate
designation and deeds; limited liability
corporations, partnerships and corporation
structures; succession planning for the farm
business; and specific planning strategy
illustrations.
“Our members continue to ask for
educational seminars on Estate Planning and
how best to structure their farm businesses.
These seminars are designed to give them high
quality information, so that they are fully
prepared to start their own planning process,”
said Kok.
Entry fees are $25 per person or $35
per family and members must register
in advance at http://tinyurl.com/MFBEstatePlanningSeminar.
coverage is also available under this policy.
The Whole Farm policy may be purchased
alone or combined with other Federal crop
insurance policies; however, it is not available
for a single commodity that is already covered.
To learn more, visit our website, https://
www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com/crop, and
contact your agent or local crop insurance
specialist.
Questions about
the Farm Bill?
It’s understandable if you have
questions about the most recent Farm Bill
which was signed into law in February
2014. Not only did the legislation set farm
and conservation policy for the next five
years, it also made significant changes for
program crops and dairy programs. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture continues to
establish regulations to implement the law.
To learn more about the Agricultural
Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage
programs, Michigan State University
Extension and the Farm Service Agency
are hosting local educational meetings
throughout the state.
To find an educational meeting
near
you,
visit
http://tinyurl.com/
MichiganFarmBillMeetings.
Start planning for National Ag Week!
National Agriculture Week is coming
quick, March 15-21! Michigan Farm Bureau’s
Promotion and Education Department
reminds county Farm Bureaus to plan ahead
and order educational materials, plans and
volunteers.
resources in advance.
Contact Communication and Education
Visit the MFB website’s, www.michfb.
com, Ag Education and Leadership page Specialist Amelia Miller, amille2@michfb.
for educational resources, facts and other com or 517-679-5688, with questions.
inspirations for your community and
3
January 30, 2015
Purchase health insurance now to avoid tax penalties
The open enrollment period for individuals
and families to purchase 2015 health insurance
coverage ends Feb. 15. If you haven’t enrolled
in coverage by Feb. 15, you may not be eligible
to purchase coverage for the remainder of the
year unless you qualify for a special enrollment
period.
If you already have health insurance
coverage, you can change plans at any time
until Feb. 15, even if you were automatically
enrolled in a plan and that coverage has
already begun. Change plans by the 15th of
the month and your coverage begins on the
first day of the next month.
If you don’t have health coverage during
2015, you may have to pay a penalty at tax
time. The fee in 2015 is higher than it was for
2014: two percent of your income or $325 per
adult, $162.50 per child, whichever is more.
Save money
with MAEAP!
To enroll in a health insurance plan,
call your local health-certified Farm Bureau
Insurance agent. A list of health-certified
agents can be found at www.michfb.com/MI/
EnrollNow/. If you don’t have a Farm Bureau
Insurance agent or your agent is not healthcertified, call Farm Bureau Health Services at
1-888-294-4335.
Need health insurance for
your employees?
If you own a farm or other small
business and are looking for health
insurance for your employees, contact
your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent.
Your agent can help you find a health care
product to keep your employees – and your
bottom line – healthy.
Arm yourself for the rest of winter!
Farm Bureau Insurance offers a
discount on the liability portion of your
Farmowners Policy for participating in
the Michigan Agriculture Environmental
Assurance Program (MAEAP).
The discounts:
• Complete an environmental risk
assessment and receive a 10 percent
discount.
• Complete one MAEAP system
(farmstead, cropping, livestock) and
receive a 15 percent discount.
• Complete two or more MAEAP system
verifications, you may be eligible for a
20 percent discount.
Contact your Farm Bureau Insurance
agent and provide them with documentation
of your work with the MAEAP program.
Contact
MFB
Agricultural
Ecology
Specialist Emily Reinart,
517-679-5337,
with
questions.
Mother Nature tamed down
the frigid weather for the beginning
of winter in many parts of the
state, but the snow, ice and chilling
temperatures have surely arrived.
While this year has not caused
as many power outages, slippery
roads and ice dams at home, it’s
still important to prepare your
home and family for another winter
weather event. Farm Bureau Insurance wants
you to have a safe and protected
New Year. To assist you in that,
we’ve published a few of our favorite
tips, tricks and reminders to better
your chances of a claim-free winter.
Visit
http://tinyurl.com/
FBInsMI-WinterChecklist to print
your own copy of Farm Bureau
Insurance’s Winter Checklist to
prepare and maintain your home,
property and vehicles to keep you
and your loved ones safe.
Encourage youth to attend the 4-H Capitol Experience!
Michigan
Farm
Bureau
is partnering with 4-H Youth
Programs to present their 2015
Capitol Experience to encourage
leadership development and civic
engagement, March 22-25 at the
University Quality Inn of Lansing.
The
four-day
conference
exposes teens from across the
state to government in action as
they learn how to influence policy
issues. Participants will interact
with legislators, state agency staff,
lobbyists and other resource people
to learn how policy is made. They’ll
also tour the State Capitol and the
Michigan Supreme Court.
High school students ages 14
and up are invited to attend. The
registration deadline is Feb. 16 and
costs $310 for 4-H and Farm Bureau
members or $320 for non-members
of either organization.
For more information, or
to register for this exceptional
experience, students should contact
their county 4-H office. Visit the 4-H
Youth Programs website, http://4h.
msue.msu.edu/counties to find your
office.
4
MSU Agricultural Technology certificate programs available
in Traverse City
The Michigan State University Institute of
Agricultural Technology (IAT) offers certificate
programs for students in Northwest Michigan.
The IAT certificate programs focus on a
number of Michigan’s agricultural and applied
technology industries and can be completed over
a two-year period.
There are currently over 60 students enrolled
in one of the three certificate program areas
offered here in Traverse City:
• Applied Plant Science – Commercial
Horticulture Operations
• Applied Plant Science – Landscape
Horticulture
• Viticulture
Students enrolled in one of the off-campus
programs have the option of completing
not only a certificate through MSU,
but also an Associate of Applied
Science Degree through
Northwestern
Michigan
College.
In addition to the three
existing programs offered
in Traverse City, IAT is
also finalizing approval for
a program in Agricultural
Operations that is intended
to be available to students
interested in training related to
crop farming.
According to Dr. Randy Showerman, director
of the Institute of Agricultural Technology,
approximately 90 percent of graduates
from one of IAT’s certificate programs
go onto work in industry represented
by their program and the other
10 percent go on to a four year
degree.
If you or someone you know
would be interested in learning
more about the certificate
programs available in Traverse
City, please contact the Regional
Program Coordinator, Brian Matchett
([email protected]) or 231-995-1719.
Local Young Farmers compete in state discussion meet
YF Discussion Meet participants, Jeff Dreves
and Nick Schaffer
Local
members
Jeff Dreves and Nick
Schaffer took part
in the Young Farmer
Discussion Meet Dec.
2 at the MFB State
Annual Meeting in
Grand Rapids. Young
Farmers ages 18-35
are eligible to compete
in the state event after
successfully advancing
through district meets.
This year’s discussion topics
addressed government versus
public land ownership and
management; balancing food
insecurity concerns against the
safety and environmental impact
of modern agriculture; and the
role farmers should play in the
discussions with consumers and
lawmakers. Contestants are judged
on their analysis of the topic,
delivery and cooperative attitude.
After two rounds, 12 contestants
competed for four positions in the
final round.
Jeff and Nick enjoyed their
discussion with young farmers
statewide. Unfortunately they were
unable to move on to the semifinals
but look forward to competing
next year.
“It was fun to see my friends
from college and to be part of the
discussion meet with them,” said
Dreves about this year’s discussion
meet.
Schaffer is employed at Rolling
Meadows Farms in Mayfield
Township.
Dreves is employed at CHS
Agronomy in Traverse City.
Local Benefits:
Briefly…
Notes:
Questions on your BCBS plan through Michigan Farm Bureau?
Contact Christine Bezak at 877-718-8318 or [email protected]
“Like” us on Facebook: Northwest Michigan County Farm
Bureau
For up-to-date events check out the Grand Traverse Conservation
District’s website, www.natureiscalling.org, or call 231-941-0960
Winter Events Calendar
Feb 19
Buckley Farm Show
Feb 25
Lansing Legislative Seminar
(registration due 1/30)
Feb 20-22
Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference at
Grand Traverse Resort
March18
National Ag Day
March 22-25 4-H Capitol Experience
Mrs. Fields Cookies: 15
percent off orders to members
when presenting your Farm Bureau
membership card. Located in the
Grand Traverse Mall, Traverse City.
Phone: 231-929-1018
Thrifty Car Rental: Offering all
Farm Bureau members a 10 percent
discount off the rental of any vehicle.
Just mention when scheduling a
rental. Address: 1621 S Garfield,
Traverse City Phone: 231-946-2371
Bill Marsh Auto Body: Detailing
discount – Whenever you use Bill
Marsh Auto Body services, you will
receive a free interior detailing, just
show your Farm Bureau membership
ID card at time of scheduling.
Address: 1780 Barlow St, Traverse
A Publication of the Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau
City Phone: 231-946-2601
Hearing Solutions: Dr. Sandra
Leahy and Dr. Kathleen Sawhill
are offering members free hearing
screenings, cleanings and checks of
current hearing aids, $300 off the
purchase of a set of hearing aids,
$20 off custom ear protection and
15 percent off in-store batteries.
Address: 3241 Racquet Club Dr.
Ste B, Traverse City MI 49684
Phone: 231-922-1500 or www.
hearingsolutionstc.com
If you know a business or
personally want to provide local
benefits to our members, please
contact Michele at our office 231947-2941.

Download Report