Lawmakers visit agricultural destinations in Michigan - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/01/13) - With the remnants of last year's crops still visible, Mid-Michigan farmers are already looking forward to this growing season.

Bob Kennedy, of Frutchey Bean & Grain Co., believes the region is starting out better in 2013 than it was last year.

One potential bright spot - winter wheat. What looks like grass buried beneath the snow in one Saginaw County field, will grow into wheat.

"Once the snow is gone and it warms up in to the 40s and 50s, and it will start to green up," Kennedy said.

Farmers are hoping 2013 will bring promising yields in Lansing as well.

"You can never get enough, the stuff is growing so fast and so may new things are happening, that it's great to get folks out here to see what they are," said Rep. Kevin Daley, (R) 82nd District.

Several lawmakers boarded this bus, headed for agricultural destinations around the state.

One stop, Frutchey Bean and Grain near Oakley.

"Back to my roots. I still farm for a living too, so, I've still got a farm back in Lapeer County," Daley said.

Daley chairs the House Ag committee. He hopes this 'field trip' helps when they return to Lansing.

"The whole Ag industry has changed drastically, from running GPS and the application of pesticides and fertilizers, it's so precise now and so controlled that and our yields are going up," said Rep. Ben Glardon, (R) 85th District.

And that's exactly what farmers want these lawmakers to be talking about back at the capitol.

"We need to keep this the number two industry in the state, it's very important to Michigan," Kennedy said.

This season, Kennedy hopes winter wheat will be one of the crops making headlines.

While we may not like to drive in snow, it's sure helping people who depend on Mother Nature to provide for them - and us.

"Snow covered insulation is the key to that. And so far it's been good," Kennedy said.

After their stop in Oakley, lawmakers headed to Hemlock.