Calling agriculture “the backbone of Southwest Michigan,” Congressman Fred Upton has accepted the 2020 Friend of Farm Bureau Award from the American Farm Bureau for his efforts to support Southwest Michigan’s agricultural community during the 116th Congress.
In receiving the award this past week, the St. Joseph Republican said, “Agriculture is the backbone of southwest Michigan, and I am so honored to receive the Friend of Farm Bureau recognition,” adding, “Our farmers, growers, and producers literally help feed the world. In these tough times with such uncertainty, we know we can certainly count on our ag community. They’ve got our backs and I’ll always have theirs.”
Carl Bednarski, President of the Michigan Farm Bureau, says, “Congressman Fred Upton has been a relentless champion for agriculture during his tenure in Washington,” and adds, “He selflessly gives our farmer leaders his most valuable resource—time—time spent at Farm Bureau meetings and on farms. And he understands and fights for the issues that matter most to farmers. From the issues of burdensome regulation to trade agreements, to labor shortages, Upton has stood by our farmers and worked tirelessly to make meaningful change.”
Upton has a long track record of supporting Southwest Michigan’s agricultural community. In this Congress, he was a leader in helping usher through the landmark new trade deal, the USMCA, which will help American dairy producers be more competitive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Upton has worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to advocate for specialty crops and more flexibility for producers. He also advocated for more PPE for farm workers to bolster food safety and secure supply. Upton last year led the state’s Congressional delegation in fighting for disaster relief for the state’s agriculture community following historic and damaging weather conditions.
The “Friend of Farm Bureau” award is given at the end of each Congress to Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.
