Building Relationships with Farm Bureau Presenters: Mike Hard, Branch County Drain Commissioner Colleen Albright, Farm Bureau Branch County Administrative Manager Pat Albright, Farmer and former Farm Bureau Board Member

Branch County National Agricultural Statistics Service 736 Farms 181,000 tillable acres 7% or 52 Farms plant more than 90,000 (1/2) total acreage 2.7% or 20 Farms plant more than 60,000 (1/3) total acreage

Farm Bureau partnership with the Drain office provides: Excellent opportunity to meet these farmers Learn relationships regarding Land rental and who pays property taxes Opportunity to build relationships for mutual benefit Two-way street for communication

Farm Bureau partnership with the Drain office provides: Opportunity to explain Drain office and Drain code Opportunity for Drain office to better understand Farming Challenges We all want the same thing: Drains that work!

Why Partner with Michigan Farm Bureau? Grass Roots Foundation Partner on Policy Issues—Largest Agricultural Organization in the State Huge Lobbying power Relationship Building with all Members