Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page

9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report

LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

15. General issue area code IMM

16. Specific lobbying issues

Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for a long-term solution to our agricultural workforce needs. We continue to communicate to Congress on the out-of-control growth in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and challenges with the H-2A visa program. We are also concerned with a few recent rules from the Biden Administration and shared those concerns with Congress.
Michigan Farm Bureau communicated with Congress in opposition to the Department of Labors rule regarding the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants (Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Docket Number ETA-2021-0006). MFB is supporting a Congressional Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) in opposition to the final AEWR rule and is encouraging Members of Congress to support it. The rule neglects to account for the fact that farm job descriptions often include many different responsibilities not just one role as the rule assumes. H.J.Res. 59 and S.J.Res. 25.
MFB is also supporting S. 874 and H.R. 3308, the Farm Operations Support Act. The bill would require that the AEWR that was in effect on December 1, 2022, remains the AEWR through December 21, 2023.
MFB is also supporting H.R. 3516, a bill which would waive the visa interview requirement for returning H-2A guestworkers.
MFB also communicated with Congress on the USCIS proposed rule to increase fees for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. Specifically, USCIS proposes to raise filing fees for H-2A and H-2B petitions by 137% and 135%, respectively. In addition, USCIS proposes an additional $600 asylum fee per petition. Furthermore, by capping each petition at 25 workers, employers with a larger guest worker need, will incur these costs potentially multiple times over. MFB is very concerned with these proposed charges to farmers and has asked Congress to weigh in.
MFB opposed H.R. 2 the Secure the Border Act of 2023 due to the bill containing mandatory E-verify. Farm Bureau cannot support mandatory E-verify unless it moves in tandem with legislation to improve the stability of our agricultural workforce.
MFB also supported including language in the House Appropriations bill for FY2024 that would include an H-2B returning worker cap exemption. H-2B is an important guestworker program for agricultural processors and others that rely on seasonal workers.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

15. General issue area code AGR

16. Specific lobbying issues

Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for the 2023 Farm Bill to be completed on time. Our priorities for the bill include:
Increase baseline funding commitments to farm programs (reference price increase, commodity loan rates) as they have not kept up with inflation
Maintain a unified, bipartisan farm bill which includes nutrition programs and farm programs together
Prioritize funding for risk management tools which include both federal crop insurance and commodity programs (ARC, PLC, DMC)
Ensure adequate USDA staffing capacity and technical assistance
Maintain funding for voluntary, working lands conservation programs.
Support trade promotion programs like Foreign Market Development (FMD) and Market Assistance Program (MAP)
Ensuring adequate funding for the specialty crop industry with emphasis on fundamental research, marketing & promotion, and pest management programs
Funding for ag research and education

MFB Supported H.R. 1480 and S. 759, the Beagle Brigade Act would provide permanent authorization for the National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains detector dogs, mostly beagles, and their U.S. Customs and Border Protection handlers to sniff out prohibited agricultural items that could carry foreign plant pests or animal diseases into America.
MFB also supported the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act, a bill to strengthen the Dairy Margin Coverage program in the next Farm Bill.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

15. General issue area code TRD

16. Specific lobbying issues

Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for new trade opportunities that would allow for U.S. farmers to find and grow markets across the globe, including a FTA with the United Kingdom. In addition, we seek a fair and level playing field for farmers that face pressure from unfair, foreign competition - especially our specialty crop sector. We continue to advocate for options for farmers to tools in place for these industries to take cases against foreign countries when we believe they are not playing by the rules.
Our trade negotiation objectives include:
All agricultural products and policies in the negotiations
Eliminate non-tariff trade barriers
Ensure market access for biotechnology products
Address issues concerning import-sensitive products
Oppose the Precautionary Principle
Oppose the use of geographic indicators

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

15. General issue area code CHM

16. Specific lobbying issues

Michigan Farm Bureau advocated to Congress for reforms to the regulatory system, specifically updates to how agricultural chemistries are reviewed and approved. Farmers need a regulatory system that is fair, transparent, adheres to the will of Congress, takes economic impact into account, and respects our freedoms
Crop protection tools go through a rigorous process to get to market and are regularly reviewed by the manufacturers and government agencies
Farmers now face additional uncertainty due to EPA's new requirements to do more to prevent endangered species impacts from pesticides
Farm Bureau policy supports:
Use of sound science in rulemaking
Coordination between USDA and EPA on regulations affecting agriculture
Estimating the cost and benefits of regulations
Ensuring transparency in the rulemaking process
Vigorous congressional oversight
Litigation reform
Funding for IR4 bio-pesticide research program for minor crops
MFB supported the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, H.R. 4288. The bill would reaffirm FIFRAs standard that the EPA is the single authority on pesticide labeling and packaging requirements. The bill ensures the EPA doesnt take any action, including approving label requirements, contradictory to the agencys science-based views. The Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act will provide certainty to producers and consumers, ensuring the tools supporting the agriculture industry and food supply chain remain safe and available. The bill would preempt states from imposing their own labeling requirements.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

15. General issue area code BUD

16. Specific lobbying issues

MFB signed a letter with other national and state level groups to House and Senate Budget Committees urging sufficient budgetary resources for the 2023 Farm Bill.
Michigan Farm Bureau communicated with Congress on several appropriations related topics, including:
Senator Gary Peters SWAT Act requesting funding for APHIS, including specialty crop pest program. In order to sustain specialty crop production and provide continued domestic food security, robust investment must be maintained in order to mitigate the harmful effects caused by these invasive pests, such as the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). SWD is an invasive pest from East Asia that lays eggs in soft-skinned specialty fruit crops, including cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
MFB also communicated with House offices specially requesting ways that the H-2A visa program could be address through the Appropriations process

Agricultural Research:

USDAs Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, including the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, Economic Research Service, and National Agricultural Statistics Service which provide research, data, and statistical analysis critical for addressing challenges faced by the agriculture community.

Crop Protection:

Office of Pesticide Management Policy, which promotes the development of new pest management approaches and is critical for crop protection. USDAs Minor Crop Pest Management Program (IR-4) ensures safe and effective agrichemicals and biopesticides are available for small, specialty crop markets.

Farm Programs:

Farm Bureau urges the committee to protect programs that ensure U.S. farmers and ranchers are able to continue to produce food, fiber and fuel as they battle high input prices, labor challenges, and natural disasters. Farm Bureau supports increased funding for risk management tools, which include federal crop insurance and commodity programs, as well as federal conservation programs, which preserve environmental benefits. Farm Bureau supports prioritizing working lands conservation programs over retirement land programs. Additionally, increased funding for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan guarantee programs will ensure availability to eligible under current authorities and the FSA Agricultural Mediation Program.

In addition, adequate funding should be provided for personnel and technology upgrades to effectively serve farmers and ranchers utilizing these programs.

Food Safety:

Increase funding for food protection at the Food and Drug Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) directed to increase education and training of inspectors and other relevant staff.


International Programs:

The Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program to increase demand for U.S. agriculture and food products in foreign markets. The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which effectively delivers both food aid and educational assistance. P.L. 480 programs, which provide foreign food aid by purchasing U.S. commodities.

Farm Bureau supports funding the following programs at the authorized spending level:

Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA):

This pilot program was authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill to leverage successful public-private partnerships to improve efficiency and accelerate research and development in pursuit of overcoming long-term and high-risk agricultural and food-related research and development challenges.

Animal Health
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan.
The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and the Veterinary Services Grant Program, which allow veterinarians to ensure animal health and welfare while protecting the nations food supply.
The National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which provides an early warning system for emerging animal diseases.
Section 1433 Continuing Animal Health and Disease, Food Security, and Stewardship Research, Education and Extension Programs to address critical priorities in food security, zoonotic disease and stewardship.
The FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine, which oversees the safety of animal drugs, feed, and biotechnology-derived products.
The availability of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines to meet emergency response requirements.

Biotechnology Promotion:

APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services, if there are appropriate levels of congressional oversight, to ensure APHIS regulatory considerations are science- and risk-based, transparent and predictable, while promoting innovation in plant breeding and facilitating trade.

Expanding International Markets and Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture:

The Foreign Agricultural Service, Emerging Markets Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, all of which increase demand for U.S. agriculture and food products abroad.
APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine personnel and facilities.
APHIS trade issues resolution and management activities that are essential for an effective response when other countries raise sanitary and phytosanitary measures related to American products.
The U.S. Codex Office, which is essential to improving the harmonization of international science-based standards for the safety of food and agriculture products.

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN):

The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network provides stress assistance programs that address the increasing financial and mental stress impacting farmers and ranchers.

Food Safety and Protection Funding for the Food & Drug Administration in the following areas:
Implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act;
Additional science-based inspection, targeted according to risk;
Effective inspection of imported food and feed products;
Research and development of scientifically based rapid-testing procedures and tools;
Accurate and timely response to outbreaks that identify contaminated products, remove them from the market and minimize disruption to producers; and
Indemnification for producers who suffer marketing losses due to inaccurate government- advised recalls or warnings.
Funding for USDA food protection programs in the following areas: The National Antimicrobial Residue Monitoring System to detect trends in antibiotic resistance in foodborne bacteria.
The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, through which veterinarians establish science-based recommendations for drug withdrawal intervals.

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy for America Program, which offers a combination of grants and guaranteed loans for farmers to purchase renewable energy systems.

USDAs energy programs that improve the nations energy security and economic development including: the Biobased Markets Program, Biorefinery Assistance Program, Biomass Crop Assistance Program, Biomass Research & Development Initiative, Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, Biodiesel Fuel Education Program, and Carbon Utilization and Biogas Education Program.

Strengthening Rural Communities

Rural Utilities Service telecommunications programs, including the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, and Community Connect Program which seek to bring broadband to rural communities and improve access to distance learning and telemedicine opportunities for rural residents.

Business and Industry Loan Program, Value-Added Producer Grant Program, and the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Program which support business creation and growth in rural communities.
Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program and Community Facilities Loan Guarantee Program, which fund the construction or improvement of essential community facilities.
Agriculture in the Classroom which helps students gain greater awareness of the role agriculture plays in the economy and society.

Wildlife Services:
Wildlife Services programs that prevent and minimize wildlife damage, while protecting human health and safety from conflicts with wildlife.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

15. General issue area code CAW

16. Specific lobbying issues

MFB Supported H.J. Res. 27 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'"

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, White House Office

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.

20. Client new address

21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)

22. New General description of client’s business or activities

LOBBYIST UPDATE

23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client

ISSUE UPDATE

24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)

Internet Address:

26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client

FOREIGN ENTITIES

27. Add the following foreign entities:

28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization

CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE

29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
No Yes