Gov. Rick Snyder spoke to members of the Michigan Farm Bureau at its annual meeting in Grand Rapids today.
Snyder says proposed trade policy changes in NAFTA between the U.S. and Canada could help the farming business.
“Can we update these things, can we improve practices to make it so that that bridge we're going to build can be used more for dairy products among other products?” Snyder said.
Although he didn’t get into many specifics regarding changes to NAFTA, Snyder says it might be time to update the policies of the past.
“Are we doing the latest, greatest practices to encourage more opportunity for more Michigan exports in the [agriculture] field?” he said.
Snyder says investing in infrastructure and skilled trades programs in schools will also go a long way in helping the agriculture business.
“This administration has done a lot to boost skilled trades for this very reason, young people need pathways to good jobs and college isn’t the only way to get into agriculture jobs,” he said.
The annual meeting allows farmers and people who work in the agriculture business around the state to discuss policy issues, potential opportunities for growth and celebrate accomplishments from industry professionals.
The annual meeting with continue in Grand Rapids until Thursday evening.
