LANSING MI, Nov. 4,
2020 — Despite
several major challenges in 2020, headlined by fallout from the COVID-19
pandemic, Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski, a Tuscola County
farmer, urged Farm Bureau members to recognize the economic turnaround in major
commodity markets, setting the stage for a better 2021.
Delivering his annual
address virtually on Nov. 4, during the opening session of the
organization's virtual 101st state annual meeting — themed
“Building for the Future,” Bednarski commended members for their ingenuity and
creativity as county Farm Bureau leaders and as farmers.
“Our lives changed;
the world changed,” Bednarski said regarding COVID-19. “There was panic, and
people were scared. But agriculture knew we needed to continue what we do best
— produce food.”
Bednarski focused on
several wins for agriculture amid the challenges of COVID-19, noting the
organization’s focus and success in reversing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive
order issued in early April, effectively shutting down greenhouses, nurseries,
and landscapers.
“The timing could not
have been worse,” Bednarski said. “With product ready to be shipped to
consumers, why didn’t (Gov. Whitmer) at least give growers the option to show
they could abide by the rules?”
Bednarski said more
than 56,000 responses were generated from an MFB-issued Action Alert to
members, adding the response was 33 times bigger than any previous alerts
issued by the organization.
“We were able to call
out the flaws in the EO and make accommodations for producers to sell their
products and get back to work in the fields,” Bednarski said. “I was extremely
proud of our members for how they handled this issue. It showed the strength
and unity in agriculture and the role Farm Bureau played.”
Bednarski said the
organization was called upon to assist members and their employees in their
legal challenge to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
mandated testing requirement of farmworkers, citing civil rights and
discrimination concerns.
“Even though farmers
and farmworkers knew they faced an uphill battle, and ultimately lost their
case, they knew this organization stood behind them in their efforts,”
Bednarski said. “It’s another great example of how your organization is
constantly working for you and for Michigan agriculture.”
MFB also assisted
members in June to take legal action challenging the new National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the Michigan Department of
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that, according to Bednarski, “largely
ignores livestock industry recommendations and the most basic agronomic
standards.”
“The potential
implications of EGLE’s unrealistic permit requirements is just the first step
toward more overly-burdensome regulations impacting all of Michigan agriculture
— livestock and crop operations alike,” Bednarski said. “Regardless of farm
size and regardless of whether we’re talking manure or commercial fertilizers,
the threat is real.”
On the economic front,
Bednarski acknowledged the “tough spot” farmers were put in due to retaliatory
tariffs during intense trade negotiations with China and the new
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but commended the Trump administration’s support
of agriculture throughout process.
“It was a breath of
fresh air to hear President Trump make agriculture a priority during trade
negotiations with China, Japan, Canada, Mexico and now the European Union,”
Bednarksi said. “Those of us in agriculture recognized the game that was being
played — we had seen it before.”
As a result of those
tough negotiations and the new Phase-1 trade deal signed last January,
Bednarski predicted better days ahead for producers, with China making record
purchases of U.S. corn and soybeans, which are reflected in the markets during
fall-harvest.
With his annual
address coming just a day after arguably one of the most contentious and
controversial elections in recent memory, Bednarski commended the work of
County Candidate Evaluation Committees for recommending “Friends of
Agriculture” endorsements to MFB’s AgriPac.
“Yesterday’s results
at polls reflect on successes and change,” Bednarski said. “Amid a volatile
election cycle, many of Michigan Farm Bureau’s AgriPac-endorsed Friends of
Agriculture proved victorious in their general election races — including
several hard-fought and highly contested races.
“Unfortunately, it
appears we’ll have to wait a few more days before we know if President Trump
will continue to be there for our farmers, as he has been throughout the last
four years,” he added.
Calling it a memorable
election for agriculture, Bednarksi thanked members for their efforts to meet
with candidates on their farms to understand the needs of farmers and rural
communities, noting their efforts will need to continue.
“As final official
election results are determined, Michigan agriculture will face additional
challenges and opportunities to assist those newly elected officials to
understand agriculture’s concerns and the impact of their future policy
decisions,” Bednarski said.
In addition to
assisting farmer members navigate the challenges of a pandemic, he said the
Farm Bureau Family of Companies staff, insurance agents and members stepped up
to help those in need in a big way, including the “We’re in This Together”
initiative to support local restaurants, and the “Million Meals Challenge.”
“Together, in a
one-week campaign, Farm Bureau agents, members, insureds and staff raised more
than $183,000 for families in need,” Bednarski said. “Those dollars helped the
organization surpass their goal, raising enough for 1.1 million meals for
Michigan children and families affected by the pandemic.”
Watch President Bednarski's annual address here.