Conservation & Agriculture Power

Empowering Michigan Farmers and Protecting Our God-Given Natural Heritage

Michigan First proudly supports our farmers. They are the heart of our economy, our culture, and our food security. Family agriculture isn’t a business, it’s a way of life. It’s the reason Michigan exists: hardworking people feeding America while caring for the land, passed down through generations. We also support proper conservation that protects the God-given beauty of Michigan’s forests, lakes, wetlands, and farmlands for future generations to enjoy. We oppose radical “tree hugger” activists and intrusive government mandates that target our rural communities and family farms.

Our approach is common sense, pro-farmer, and balanced: do what it takes to support Michigan agriculture, and ensure responsible stewardship that puts people first, not bureaucrats.

Strong Agriculture – Putting Farmers First

Michigan’s family farmers and agricultural businesses face a crisis. Input costs are skyrocketing, regulations are suffocating, foreign competition is a subsidized tsunami, and there aren’t enough workers to harvest the crops. Taxes alone are making it impossible to pass down generational land to the next generation. Michigan First will stand up for policies that eliminate barriers, remove obstacles, and create opportunity.

Tax Relief for Farmers: Property tax reform to eliminate or drastically reduce taxes on agricultural land. Exempt farm equipment and machinery from sales tax. Abolish the death tax and “bucket brigade” taxes that force family farms to be broken up and sold.

Cut Red Tape: We will cut state and federal regulations and bureaucracy that target small and mid-sized farmers. Streamline permitting and cut compliance costs that provide no benefit or safety. End arbitrary, punitive inspections by agencies that harass family farmers.

Labor Support: Expand seasonal guest worker programs and training so farmers have enough help in season. Provide incentives for local workforce development and recruitment. Protect farmers from extreme labor rules and regulations that drive up costs.

Market Access & Fair Trade: Promote and expand “Michigan Grown” branding to connect consumers with local products. Help our farmers and food producers open new markets, both nationally and internationally. Fight foreign government subsidies that allow foreign companies to dump cheap exports into our markets.

Rural Infrastructure: Upgrade rural roads, broadband, and irrigation infrastructure so our farmers can get their products to market more efficiently and keep up with the modern economy.

Weather & Risk Assistance: Quick, direct, no-questions-asked assistance for weather events, disease outbreaks, foreign market crashes, etc. whatever capacity is needed to help keep family farms afloat.

Help the Next Generation: Provide resources like low-interest loans, mentorship programs, and start-up grants for young or beginning farmers who want to get into or expand their operations.

We will fight corporate consolidation and the pressure from activist special interests to eliminate family farms. Farmers put food on our table—Michigan First will always have their backs.

Proper Conservation – Stewardship, Not Control

God has blessed Michigan with some of the most productive land in the world. Responsible conservation that protects our quality of life is critical, but it must never come at the expense of jobs, property rights, or our rural way of life.

Key Principles

Property Rights: No forced conservation easements, no government land grabs, and no regulations that devalue private property without just compensation. Farmers and landowners are the original conservationists—government should support and empower them, not dictate to them.

Incentives Not Mandates: Voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs with real, tangible financial rewards. Tax credits, cost-share programs, grants for soil health, water quality, habitat creation and restoration, etc.

Smart Environmental Policies: Protect our Great Lakes, forests, and wetlands using real solutions like cover cropping, buffer strips, erosion control, nutrient management, etc. We do not support extreme, overreaching mandates that reduce production.

Sportsman Heritage: Expand access for hunting and fishing, responsible wildlife management and population control, and outdoor heritage preservation. Protect Michigan’s outdoor traditions, which are a critical part of our rural way of life.

Local Control: Local control of local resources. Decisions about our land, water, and environment should be made by those who live and work here, not by faraway bureaucrats or activist NGOs.

Michigan First supports responsible stewardship that protects our natural resources and works WITH farmers, not against them. Healthy soil, clean water, abundant wildlife, and strong agriculture are not mutually exclusive.

Our farmers are the original conservationists. When we support our farmers, we are protecting our land and waters, feeding our people, and preserving our rural heritage.

We stand with Michigan’s farmers and stewards in whatever capacity they need—we will always have your back, today and for the future.

Michigan First. Faith First. Family First. Freedom First.