Pete’s Principles on Agriculture – Freedom to Farm
ENDORSED BY
Michigan Agri-Business Association
RECOGNIZED BY
Friend of the Farm Bureau
by Michigan Farm Bureau
View Members of the Hoekstra Agriculture Coalition
We need to give farmers the freedom to farm.
Agriculture is a foundation block that our state can build upon. The agriculture industry accounts for $71.3 billion in economic activity in the state, and we need it to keep growing.
Michigan is strategically placed to be a leader in agriculture with its natural resources, diverse commodities and the need for safe and nutritious food.
As governor, I will install an administration that recognizes the importance of agriculture and works with the industry, not a government that takes agriculture for granted and burdens the industry with unnecessary regulations.
Voting Record and Initiatives
Supported the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (a.k.a. the Farm Bill) which for the first time, recognized the importance of specialty crop farmers, who are a major driver of Michigan’s economy. Specifically it expanded the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states, created the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, and enhanced Specialty Crop Block Grants.
Commodity Purchases - Led multiple efforts in the House to request USDA purchases of Michigan specialty crops (asparagus, cherries, blueberries, apples, etc.) for use in various nutrition programs.
Secured funding for researchers at Michigan State University in the fight to control Phytophthora capsici, a pathogen that renders farmland useless by living in the soil for over 10 years causing various crops to rot.
Mexico Apples/Apple Juice Concentrate – Worked with the apple industry to prevent the dumping of Chinese apple juice concentrate on the U.S. market and open Mexico’s market to Michigan apples.
Voted against Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. The fact is China cheats, and growers, processors and consumers in Michigan have seen the consequences of China’s agriculture and trade practices.
