(406) 761-4596 mgga@mgga.org Home About Policy Join Events Grains Foundation News Releases Policy The heart of MGGA is its policy. Grower members propose policy resolutions that are vetted and approved by the membership at the annual meeting. These resolutions direct the efforts of the MGGA board and staff throughout the year. 2021 MGGA Resolutions Approved by MGGA Membership on 12/2/20 Download printable version Farm Policy Farm policy should allow producers to receive income from the marketplace while, when necessary, providing an economic safety net to maintain rural economic stability. It should allow cropping flexibility, discourage the buildup of grain stocks, and provide de‐coupled economic assistance. MGGA’s farm policy committee will continue to review and develop options for long‐term ag policy. MGGA supports Title I programs in concept and principle and also the option to choose which program to be enrolled in. (New 2016) MGGA opposes diversion of commodity title funding to alternate programs. MGGA supports the direct payment in concept and principle. (Renewed 2015) MGGA opposes a farm program pricing mechanism that is market distorting. (New 2011) MGGA supports a reference price for wheat in Title I programs that is equal to or higher than the USDA Economic Research Service cost of production. (Revised 2018) MGGA supports ARC‐IC in concept and principle. (New 2016) MGGA supports increasing ARC-IC to an 85% base acre payment rate. (New 2017) MGGA encourages transparency in the barley price discovery for the purposes of Title I programs. (New 2017) MGGA supports the expansion of historic wheat and barley base acres in future Farm Bills. (Revised 2020) MGGA supports including summer fallow in base acre calculations. (New 2017) MGGA supports “actively engaged” definitions that facilitate farm transfer. (New 2009) MGGA supports continued separate person determination regardless of spousal or corporate affiliation. MGGA supports the USDA Beginning Farmer Programs at or above current funding levels. (New 2014) MGGA opposes a farmer‐owned grain reserve. MGGA supports the development of individual risk management accounts. (Retained 2009) MGGA opposes further linking conservation compliance to crop insurance program participation. (Revised 2017) MGGA supports the stated goal of paperwork reduction by NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). (New 2009) MGGA supports maintaining the current six classes of wheat. (New 2019) MGGA opposes the release of US Wheat reserves from the Emerson Trust without full and immediate public disclosure and timely replacement of released stocks. (2008) MGGA supports a guest worker program that secures the borders of the US and provides a legal, affordable and stable workforce for agriculture. (New 2013) MGGA encourages the streamlining and development of guest worker and immigration programs. (Revised 2018) MGGA opposes government agencies competing in sales of private agricultural properties. (New 2012) MGGA supports the concept of Department of Natural Resources and Conservation adopting cash leases for all agricultural cropland. (Revised 2019) MGGA recommends Montana’s current livestock “open range” laws be reviewed and updated to fully recognize private property rights and property ownership responsibility to reflect current times. (New 2015) MGGA endorses creation of a producer certificate of origin valid for a marketing year. (New 2019) MGGA supports legislation that protects agricultural producers against nuisance lawsuits. (New 2018) MGGA supports ‘Right to Farm and Ranch’ legislation. (Revised 2018) MGGA shall enter agricultural private property rights discussions at the discretion of a majority vote of the board of directors. (New 2012) MGGA supports maintaining the worker’s compensation fund as a state program. MGGA opposes congressional designations of Montana National Heritage Areas and any other designations limiting private property rights. (New 2020) MGGA opposes increases in commodity loan rates. (New 2020) International Policy Risk Management Research & Utilization Environmental Taxes Transportation Economic Development Membership Biotechnology Position Statements Copyright 2018 | Montana Grain Growers Association, P.O. Box 1165; 300 Park Dr So, Suite 102; Great Falls, MT 59403 | mgga@mgga.org | 406-761-4596