On February 17, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu joined Michigan Radio’s Stateside to discuss topics in the agriculture industry. The following are some portions of the interview, lightly edited.
The interview covered a wide additional range of issues and you can listen to the entire interview here, beginning at the 12:00 mark of the program. We appreciate April Baer and Stateside for the opportunity to discuss Michigan’s agriculture industry. Stateside airs each day on Michigan Radio at 3:00 and 8:00 PM.
During the week of February 2, 2025, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu led a group of members on a visit to Washington, DC for meetings with national trade association partners and Members of Congress.
Our group met with experts from The Fertilizer Institute, CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association, the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Grain & Feed Association. We also had the chance to hear from government affairs leaders for two member companies, Nutrien and CF Industries. These meetings provided important background for Leadership Program members attending the visits.
Later in the week, we met with several members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation. In the U.S. Senate, the group had opportunities to meet with Senator Elissa Slotkin and staff members for Senator Gary Peters. In the House, the group met with Representatives Jack Bergman, Hillary Scholten, Lisa McClain, Kristen McDonald Rivet, John Moolenaar, and Tim Walberg, and staff members for Reps. Bill Huizenga and Tom Barrett. We discussed trade, the Farm Bill, logistics needs, ag technology and other priority issues for Michigan agriculture.
MABA thanks all of our DC-based partners and policymakers for taking time to visit with Michigan agribusiness leaders!
LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 1, 2025) – Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu issued the following statement on new tariffs imposed Saturday against Canada and Mexico:
“As a border state, leading agricultural exporter, and major North American trade and transit hub, Michigan deeply values our strong, long-term commercial relationships with Canada and Mexico. We are deeply concerned that across-the-board tariffs risk substantial negative economic consequences for Michigan agriculture and rural communities in our state.”
For use on background, attributable to the Michigan Agri-Business Association:
# # #
About the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA): Based in Lansing, Michigan, the Michigan Agri-Business Association represents nearly 300 companies and organizations involved in the agricultural and food production value chain. These include rural farm supply businesses, crop input manufacturers, logistics providers, utility companies, professional service providers and beyond. Learn more at www.miagbiz.org.
LANSING, Mich. – MIchigan farming and agribusiness organizations Monday reiterated their call for action to address the negative consequences of impending Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) changes for family farms and rural employers.
A letter sent to the Michigan Senate from the organizations spotlighted bipartisan approval of HB 4001 and HB 4002, and called for Senate action as soon as possible.
“It is important to understand that rural, Main Street businesses and Michigan farms will be among the many other sectors of Michigan’s economy harmed if the Legislature allows these changes to enter into force as written,” the groups wrote to Senators.
The letter can be viewed online here.
With no further action from the Legislature, an array of changes to the ESTA take effect next month. These changes will greatly reduce employers’ options for offering paid leave to employees, creating a “one size fits all” approach. It contains no exemptions for even the smallest employers; no flexibility for seasonal and temporary workers often employed part-time at rural businesses; and no recognition of the unique factors, such as animal care and crop movement logistics, that impact agricultural businesses.
“Rural businesses compete intensely to attract, hire and retain workers through existing competitive benefits and compensation packages, and upcoming ESTA changes will hamstring those efforts,” said Chuck Lippstreu, President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “Michigan’s rural employers were heartened to see the Michigan House act on legislation to deliver relief, and they echo the calls coming from every corner of our state’s economy for legislators to make common-sense changes to this policy before it takes effect.”
“Michigan farms are proud to lead the way in delivering jobs and economic opportunity in rural communities across Michigan, and we are deeply concerned this new policy will harm both employers and employees,” said Rob Anderson, Manager of State Government Relations for the Michigan Farm Bureau. “We thank the House for delivering common-sense action, and now we need the Senate to follow suit. We are counting on leaders in Lansing to helpensure that when these changes go into effect, rural employers and employees retain appropriate flexibility, strong compensation packages and the ability to keep growing the rural economy.”
The letter echoes calls from other sectors for common-sense legislative action that restores certainty and a workable framework for businesses, prior to the ESTA changes entering into effect. The farming and rural business groups asked that the Michigan Legislature make the following changes:
The agricultural organizations noted their letter adds to calls from many other sectors of Michigan’s economy for legislators to act on this important issue, as it will impact businesses in virtually every corner of our state.
© 2025 Michigan Agri-Business Association - All rights reserved.
