Michigan’s Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program provides resources, continuing education and networking opportunities for professional agronomists spanning our state’s agricultural industry. Nearly 300 Michigan professional agronomists are CCAs, and they bring a wide range of experience and skills to our state’s agricultural industry. Today we are spotlighting Kala Pierucki, a CCA with Keystone Cooperative.
Kala Pierucki’s background in Michigan agriculture started from childhood, growing up on a farm in Pittsford, Michigan. However, after graduating high school, Kala left Michigan for school, attending Allen Community College in Kansas where she played volleyball for two years. She later transferred to Oklahoma Panhandle State University to finish her degree.
While in Oklahoma, Kala met her future husband, a native Michigander and member of a harvest crew working in the plains states. Together they would eventually return to Michigan in 2011.
Back in Michigan, Kala went into agronomy. She started out working with Britton Elevator then after a year, she transitioned to Gro Alliance, specializing in the seed corn industry for two years. Later, in 2014, she joined North Central Co-op, which after several transitions is now known as Keystone Cooperative. Today, Kala plays a vital role in handling corn and soybean production agronomy for Keystone’s Coldwater location. In addition to her role at Keystone, Kala also helps her husband with their corn, soybean, wheat, and hay farm. They also have two girls, ages 4 and 7.
Kala earned her Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) certification soon after finishing college. “It was always a goal of mine,” she said recently. “I wanted to have my CCA on my resume to show I go above and beyond and that I have the knowledge to help growers succeed. And I’ve just maintained it ever since.”
Kala also noted staying current with industry trends and knowledge is key to delivering the best possible advice and solutions. That’s where the continuing education credits come into play, a critical component of maintaining her CCA status. “Seeing what’s new in the industry, keeping up on everything, and getting good refreshers” are all benefits of these credits, she says.
Kala also values the interaction and networking opportunities that come with attending educational meetings. “Many meetings provide a chance to interact with growers who are attending…and it helps you broaden your horizons of different stuff that you may not have thought about,” she says. I always like to go in with the mindset that I’m going to learn two new things at this meeting and take something back.”
As one of the 300 CCAs in Michigan, Kala has set a great example of someone who earned their CCA early in their career, has stuck with the program and reaped the benefits of it!
For more information about the CCA program, visit www.miagbiz.org or www.certifiedcropadviser.org/about-program.
Brownfield Ag News today included an interview with MABA President Chuck Lippstreu focused on what’s included in Michigan’s FY25 budget. Following are highlights from the interview, lightly edited for length and clarity.
Audio and full interview details are available here from Brownfield.
On the recently signed budget:
“The big news in Lansing in the past few weeks has been approval and signature of the state’s budget for the next year. This is a really important milestone every year and we’re glad to see it get done.”
“This is important [to ensure] that the work of state government continues uninterrupted, and that our state government agencies and those who work very hard on our behalf every day have some certainty in terms of what programming will look like and budgets will look like for the coming year.”
On what’s in the MDARD budget: Farm to Family, climate research, HPAI response, produce prescriptions:
“As we zoom into the agricultural elements of the budget, this budget is a lot of things. For example, the budget includes a new Farm to Family program that focuses work on diversity of production and connecting people across the food value chain, connecting families and farmers and farm businesses…It funds research into agricultural climate resiliency, widely supported by Michigan agriculture that puts Michigan State University and MDARD in the driver’s seat in terms of conducting really important climate smart agriculture research…The budget invests in the response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, an emergent issue, something we all need to continue to be focused on.”
“It also has a number of programs to help promote fresh fruits and vegetables, things that we grow here in Michigan, and making sure that especially those who may struggle with access to fresh produce might have some new ways to get their hands on it. Specifically, the budget funds a new pilot program to try out what’s called a produce prescription program, just in one part of the state, but a model that’s worked in other places that we think could be very promising.”
On the governor’s veto of a new E15 rebate approved by the Legislature:
“Unfortunately, one thing this budget is not, it is not a pro-biofuel budget. That is not for lack of trying by legislators. In fact, our House Agriculture Committee chairwoman, Reggie Miller, helped lead the effort to create a new tax credit for the sale of E15 fuel, 15% ethanol blended fuel, at fuel stations around the state.”
“This would’ve been a small part of the budget, but a really important one. It would have benefited Michigan farmers by helping to cement strong markets for biofuel made from crops that are grown here on Michigan farms. It would’ve benefited the rural economy and rural businesses.
“This is [also] a cleaner burning fuel. It is a good move from an environmental perspective. Which is one reason why E15 has enjoyed bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats across virtually every upper Midwest state.”
“And importantly, it would’ve been a pro-consumer tax credit, making sure that families across the state, from our very biggest cities to our smallest towns, have the opportunity to fill up their tank with a higher ethanol blend.”
“From our perspective, it would’ve been a win-win-win, and so we were perplexed and disappointed when the governor made the decision to veto that tax credit…we hope going forward, that policymakers will refocus on the benefits of biofuels, whether it’s ethanol or biodiesel or sustainable aviation fuel, and work together with industry to be sure that Michigan is not left behind.”
Looking ahead on SAF
“The past two years have seen a number of very promising efforts to promote clean fuels production and use in our state, including legislation that would help incent the production and use and purchase of sustainable aviation fuel.”
“This is something that airlines are very focused on, that they view as a key future fuel source. Again, we’re in a situation where many other states have already taken some step, varying by state, to incent the production or purchase of sustainable aviation fuels for use in aircraft.”
“This is technology that’s mature, that works. It’s simply a question of airlines being able to meet growing demand to fuel the aviation fleet with sustainable fuels. This is demand that Michigan farmers and U.S. farmers can meet. At the same time, it’s important that Michigan not be left behind as other states take action to incentivize the production and use of these fuels.”
Go here for the full audio recording and story from Brownfield Ag News.
Michigan’s Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program provides resources, continuing education and networking opportunities for professional agronomists spanning our state’s agricultural industry. Nearly 300 Michigan professional agronomists are CCAs, and they bring a wide range of experience and skills to our state’s agricultural industry. Today we are spotlighting Keith Leighton, a CCA with CHS Inc.
Keith Leighton, a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) with CHS Inc., is a great example of someone who followed an “unconventional” path in the agricultural industry, and who today is drawing on his agronomic expertise to make a difference across the region!
Although he grew up in Michigan agriculture being raised on a pig and cash crop farm in Decatur, MI, in Southwest Michigan, Keith followed a winding pathway into his current role. He initially studied electrical systems at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and started out a career in the construction industry. However, as with so many Americans, the 2008 recession impacted his industry and presented the opportunity for a career shift.
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Agri-Business Association and other Michigan agricultural organizations supported the Avian Influenza Research and Response Act, new legislation led by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin to address ongoing detections of highly pathogenic avian flu in dairy cattle.
You can read more about this legislation here.
“The Avian Influenza Research and Response Act takes important steps to support Michigan and U.S. agriculture as we work together to slow the spread of HPAI,” said Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu. “Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin has stood with Michigan agriculture throughout this emergency – reaching out proactively to industry, convening experts to stay on top of the latest developments, and now delivering common-sense legislation that will strengthen critical research and biosecurity education efforts.”
The Avian Influenza Research and Response Act would:
© 2025 Michigan Agri-Business Association - All rights reserved.
