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EAST LANSING, Mich. – U.S. Congressman Joe Schwarz speaks at 2006 Michigan Family Farms Conference

U.S. Congressman Joe Schwarz addressed small and limited resources farmers at the 2006 Michigan Family Farms Conference in Battle Creek on March 18, 2006.

Congressman Schwarz spoke to more than 125 attendees during Saturday’s lunch about his efforts to aid farmers and promote agriculture in Michigan and the United States. Schwarz is Michigan’s only representative on the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

During his speech, Congressman Schwarz sited his efforts to serve Michigan farmers in the 2007 Farm Bill and new Immigration Bills. He also stressed the need for sustainable food systems and alternative energy to protect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources.

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA NRCS) State Conservationist in Michigan, Jack Bricker, also spoke to farmers about environmental issues in agriculture. Healthy soils and water systems are vital to agriculture, and USDA NRCS is working extensively with farmers to promote agricultural stewardship.

The 2006 Michigan Family Farms Conference attracted more than 150 attendees from around the state of Michigan. This conference is one of the most diverse in the state and is targeted towards limited resource farmers and small, family farmers. The Farm Research Cooperative in partnership with United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) hosted the event for the third consecutive year.

Breakout session tracks included grazing, business, marketing and resources, as well as a Spanish-speaking track featuring Spanish translations and specific issues affecting the Hispanic farming community.

Other sponsors for the event included Michigan Food & Farming Systems – MIFFS, USDA NRCS, Potawatomi Resource Conservation and Development Council, and the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.

For more information about the 2006 Michigan Family Farms Conference, contact Michigan Food & Farming Systems – MIFFS at www.miffs.org. Contact by phone at 517-432-0712 or email miffs@msu.edu.