Five Michigan gubernatorial candidates took the stage Monday, March 19 in East Lansing at the Kellogg Conference Center to share their agriculture positions and to answer questions based on state agriculture policy.
The forum included Republican candidates (pictured top) Patrick Colbeck, Brian Calley and Jim Hines as well as Democratic candidates (pictured bottom) Abdul El-Sayed and Shri Thanedar. Each of the candidates comes from a unique and different background, but all of them recognize the importance of the agriculture industry in Michigan.
Over the course of the educational conversation the candidates answered questions on animal agriculture, generational farm transition, ethanol, Right-to-Farm, water rights, and bovine TB. While the candidates shared their perspectives, they did indicate that expertise from the industry was necessary as the folks in the industry are most intimately impacted and involved in the day-to-day application of agriculture policy.
As a sponsor of the forum, GreenStone thanks the candidates for their willingness to engage in a discussion on some of the issues of importance to the Michigan agriculture industry and economy. The industry appreciated the opportunity to meet the candidates vying to lead the state as the next governor.
The event was sponsored by 17 organizations: Michigan Corn Growers Association, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Michigan Bean Commission, Michigan Pork Producers Association, Michigan Cattleman’s Association, Michigan Apples, Michigan Soybean Association, Montmorency U.S. Tart Cherries, Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee, MBG Marketing, Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, Potato Growers of Michigan, Michigan Farm Bureau, and Michigan Sugar.
