Farmers, environmental groups and farming advocates from across Michigan are urging state lawmakers to pass House Bill 4673, which would allow farmers and ranchers to fix their own equipment instead of being forced to turn to manufacturer-authorized repair centers for what they said often amounts to costly and time-consuming assistance.

“Farmers are at the frontlines of delivering us the quality, fresh products that Michiganders proudly enjoy and use to feed themselves and their families,” a group of 31 organizations, farmers and other advocates wrote in an Aug. 22 letter to state lawmakers. “But right now, farmers and ranchers might have to travel over a hundred miles just to get a tractor or combine repaired at an authorized repair center. This is an unfair reality that is all too common across rural farming.”

Equipment manufacturers often require customers to use authorized dealers for repairs, and Michigan farmers said the inability to perform their own work has left them to deal with soaring costs at a time when farmers are struggling to make ends meet.