The 2011 Annual Farm Bureau Legislatve Pig Roast was once again hosted by Jim and Jackie May and held at their barn on Fruitridge in Alpine Township. Guests included many farm bureau members, representatives from Bill Huizinga, Senator Levin and Senator Stabinow's Office, a number of State Legislators from the West Michigan areas, a number of County Commissioners, the Drain Commissioner, and several Township Supervisors.
The audience was introduced to a panel consisting of Lisa Postumus-Lyons, the State Legislator for the 86th District, Emily Ruehs with the Michigan Farm Bureau, and Rob Stein with the Kent County Conservation Department. They discussed some recently passed state legislation that offeres regulatory incentives for those farms which become Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) certified. Many Michigan farms, are already MAEAP verified. which means they completed a comprehensive risk assessment that pinpoints best practices in water, fertilizer, and pesticide use. The program helps fams of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. The program teaches farmers how to identify and prevent environmental risks and work to comply with state and federal environmental regulations. More on the program can be found at www.maeap.org.
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| The host and hostess Jim and Jackie May |
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| The main course |
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| Some of the audience |
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| The food line |
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| Kent County Commissioners Bill Hirsch, Tom Antor and Sam Ponstein |
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The panel, Emily Ruehs, Michigan Farm Bureau, Lisa Poshumus-Lyons, State Representative, and Rob Stein, Clean WaterExpert with the Kent County Conservation District |
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