**DRAFT**
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
March 8, 2023
A meeting of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources was scheduled for
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 12:00 noon, in the 1300 Room of the Binsfeld Office Building.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:16 p.m. He instructed the Clerk to call the roll. At that time, the
following members were present: Chair Cherry, Sen.(s) Shink and Bumstead. A quorum was present. Member
Senator Theis then joined the meeting. Senator Singh was excused. The subcommittee then moved to approve
the minutes of their meeting of 2/15/23.
The subcommittee welcomed Rich Bowman, Director of Policy, Michigan Nature Conservancy, who testified
on the mission of his organization and its work in Michigan. In particular, he spoke of its efforts to encourage
the practice of regenerative agriculture in the state. He was joined by colleague Ben Wickerham.
The subcommittee then welcomed Kathy Angerer, Acting Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development (MDARD), who testified on the importance of regenerative agriculture practices, its core
principles, its role in agriculture sustainability, impact on carbon emissions, protecting water from agrichemical
runoff, and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
There being no further business before the committee, the Chair moved to adjourn the committee. Without
objection, the committee was adjourned at 1:59 p.m.
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