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Rising fuel prices, fertilizer shortages and the recently passed federal farm bill are expected to be among their top concerns, said Gloria Ginell, administrative manager for Farm Bureau in Lapeer County. She said the organization has 970 regular members, which includes farmers and people employed in farm-related businesses, in the county and 4,038 associate members.

Co-sponsored by the Huron, Lapeer, Macomb, Sanilac and St. Clair County Farm Bureaus for the fourth consecutive year, the event provides an opportunity for Miller to hear directly from her agricultural constituents concerning issues important to Thumb-area farmers, said Janna Fritz, the Farm Bureau regional representative.

Although prices for corn, wheat and hay are up sharply this year, prices for fuel and other petroleum-based materials used on the farm are up sharply as well. While a recent American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey showed the cost of 16 basic grocery items increased 3.5% in the first quarter of the year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics farmers' share of retail food costs has slipped from 30% in the mid-1970s to the current 19%.

Ginell said more than 300 Farm Bureau members joined Miller for dinner last year, when the event was hosted on a farm in Huron County's Ubly. Noting that the majority of the farmers attending the dinner come from the host county, Ginell said about 200 local farmers attended the event when Lapeer County hosted it two years ago.

She said it won't be Lapeer County's turn to play host again until 2011.

Farm Bureau spokesman Jeremy Nagel said the event will give Farm Bureau board members an opportunity to discuss immigration reform, foreign trade, and the long-term outlook for the U.S. Farm Bill with Miller. Miller is also expected to field questions from area media on farm issues.

Westview Orchard is located at 65075 Van Dyke Road at 30 Mile Road. Dinner on the Farm begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free of charge to regular Farm Bureau members. To make a reservation, call Ginell at (810) 664-9712.

Phil Foley may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8148 or pfoley@lapeergroup.com