The Michigan Agri-Business Association encourages member companies, and everyone in Michigan agriculture, to communicate about the unique safety considerations around the solar eclipse happening next Monday, April 8. In addition to reminders being circulated widely in the media about the potential for eye damage from directly viewing the eclipse, other risks include the distractive nature of the event itself, and the temporary darkness associated with it.
The eclipse also takes place as the busy spring planting season ramps up, underscoring the need to be aware of unique safety considerations during this phenomenon.
Groups that make up Agricultural Leaders of Michigan (ALM) spoke out on National Ag Day, March 19, to spotlight skyrocketing labor costs facing farms and call on Congress to pass the Supporting Farm Operations Act (H.R. 7046).
The legislation, introduced by Congressman John Moolenaar, addresses high labor costs facing Michigan farmers by freezing the wage rate for migrant farm workers, known as the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), until the end of 2025.
Chuck Lippstreu, president of Michigan Agri-Business Association, said farmers’ success translates to success for other businesses on the food value chain, and approval of H.R. 7046 is important under the current circumstances.
“Agriculture remains a leading economic engine for Michigan, but the rapid increase in the AEWR threatens the viability of some farms in our state, especially labor-intensive fruit and vegetable operations,” Lippstreu said. “It’s critical that Congress pass the Supporting Farm Operations Act without delay, to provide growers with certainty going forward. This legislation will strengthen the broader agricultural economy in our state.”
Go here to read comments from other leading Michigan agricultural organizations.
Welcome to March, and Michigan Food and Agriculture Month! Your team at MABA has been hard at work early this year to advance the Association, and grow Michigan agriculture.
Here are a few photos from our activities during the past several weeks, plus a communications update and what to expect from MABA coming up!
February 16, 2024 | The Michigan Agri-Business Association this week partnered with the Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan Soybean Association to host our first Ag Club breakfast of 2024.
The event brought together more than 100 partners, government leaders and MABA members in downtown Lansing for networking, and a briefing on soybean production and market opportunities. Soybeans play a critical role in the strength of Michigan agriculture and our rural economy, and we were glad to help spotlight the industry this week!
Here are some photos from the event:
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