On Oct. 16, I joined my Senate colleagues in passing Senate Resolution 73, which urges Congress to ratify the recently negotiated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Michigan is a top agriculture-producing state, containing roughly 50,000 farms averaging 195 acres. Michigan farmers produce more than 300 agricultural products, making our state one of the most agriculturally diverse in the nation. While Michigan food and agriculture contribute more than $104.7 billion to the state's economy, Michigan’s agriculture economy is inextricably tied to trade. Soybeans are the largest valued agricultural product exported from the state with a more than $2.4 billion value over the last three years alone.

We are hopeful that the current negotiations with China will bring resolution to the trade issues at large, including an end to the tariffs that will open the market again for Michigan producers and other affected parties.

Recently, 154 schools earned the MI HEARTSafe School designation for the 2018-19 school year.
Schools within our district that have earned the MI HEARTSafe designation include North Muskegon, Holton, Montague and Big Rapids.

To receive this designation, schools must be prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies by having:
• A written medical emergency response plan and team;
• Current CPR/AED (automated external defibrillator) certification of 10% of staff and 50% of coaches, including all head varsity coaches and physical education staff;
• Accessible and maintained AEDs;
• Annual cardiac emergency response drills; and
• Pre-participation sports screening of all student athletes.

Currently, 490 schools are designated as MI HEARTSafe Schools. For more information about the program, including a list of participating schools, visit www.Migrc.org/miheartsafe.

As fall hunting season takes center stage, it’s time to focus on hunter safety. Many people don’t realize that the majority of deer hunting injuries and deaths involve tree stand falls.

The DNR encourages extra precautions when hunting from a tree stand. Find general safety reminders and safety tips on tree stands, firearm use and hunter orange at www.michigan.gov/huntingsafety. Check the 2019 Michigan Hunting Digest for the rules and regulations on hunting from raised platforms and tree stands.

I enjoyed the recent opportunity to welcome the Rev. Jose Cabrera to the Michigan Capitol. Father Cabrera made the trip to Lansing from All Saints Catholic Parish in Bay City and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

It was a pleasure to welcome Father Cabrera to the Senate chamber and he did a tremendous job leading members in prayer prior to the day’s business.

Video of his invocation is available here or on my website. Click “Video” under the “In the News” tab.

I had a great time volunteering as a server at the Tuscola Pink Ladies Night Out fundraiser. Thank you to Joey Kreeger for organizing the fundraiser and Sherwood on the Hills in Gagetown for being our host for the event.

200 ladies enjoyed a successful evening raising dollars for cancer research.

I had the opportunity to attend the 29th annual Bay County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet.

It was a wonderful chance to honor the inductees and recognize the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame on their 29th year of operation!

Congratulations to Tristan Brenner and Blake and Luke Hendler on earning the rank of Eagle Scout!

Since the inception of the award in 1912, only 2.01% of scouts earn this prestigious honor.

Well done, gentlemen.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the Farm Bureau Agriculture Careers Conference students.

We discussed different careers in agriculture as well as advocacy jobs here in Lansing.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, it was great to see so many youths interested in the future and importance of the Michigan farming industry!