setting goals on state & national issues
The members of the Montana Farm Bureau adopt state policies each year at the organization’s annual meeting held in November. Policy making is a grassroots process that begins at the county Farm Bureau level, where resolutions are passed by farmer and rancher members and are brought to the state level for consideration.
State Priorities
Producer Financial Protections
Protect agricultural producers’ ownership in the crops they produce and deliver to a contract purchaser or a warehouse. Ensure that agricultural lien searches and notification procedures protect agricultural producers.
Transportation
Ensure vehicle, trailer and driver’s license regulations do not adversely impact or burden agricultural producers or the agricultural industry.
Eminent Domain
Ensure property owners’ rights are protected under eminent domain law.
Taxes
Ensure state tax policy does not adversely impact or burden agricultural producers or the agricultural industry. Protect the current state tax provisions that limit the burden on producing food, fiber and other agricultural products for consumers.
Water
Protect the rights of landowners and agricultural producers to surface water and groundwater. Oppose legislation that attempts to take any constitutionally protected rights to water.
Land Use Regulation
Protect the rights of agricultural producers to engage in normally-accepted agricultural practices on their land. Oppose unnecessary regulatory authority over rural land.
National Priorities
Trade
Support the passage of trade agreements that benefit production agriculture.
Farm Bill
Participate in the formulation of the 2018 Farm Bill to ensure the concerns of Montana agricultural producers are addressed and an effective safety net is maintained.
Taxes
Support comprehensive tax reform, including the permanent repeal of the estate tax.
Agricultural Technologies
Defend against legislation that would reduce or eliminate access and/or use of approved agricultural technologies (GMO, feed additives, antibiotics, etc.).
Regulatory Reform
Support comprehensive reform of the federal regulatory process to ensure the right of agricultural producers and property owners to provide meaningful input and challenge regulatory proposals.
Property Rights
Seek to resolve BLM claims of ownership of private property across the state.