As always, we want to keep MABA members informed about some of your Association’s activities during recent weeks! Before we dive into events, importantly, this spring has included a major focus from MABA on upgrading and growing our member services. We detailed several of the new steps we have announced at a post here on our website. These include the launch of a new website, the ability to get the AgFacts via text message, enhanced online invoicing and the availability of a new Member Portal. Here is a rundown of some other events and activities the past month: Member company resources on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Throughout April and May, MABA has strived to deliver timely updates and useful resources for members amid the expanded outbreak of HPAI. We encourage all members, even those not in the poultry and dairy industries, to visit www.miagbiz.org/HPAI for fact sheets and other resources geared toward member businesses. MABA member company hosts Agriculture Secretary, Member of Congress: On April 26, Jorgensen Farm Elevator hosted a roundtable discussion with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. Several MABA members were in attendance at this event. Thank you to these leaders for spotlighting mid-Michigan agriculture! Member Services Director Kara Boring joins announcement events at AgroLiquid, King Milling Company: We had an opportunity to help mark two key announcements by MABA members during the month of April. On April 10, King Milling Company kicked off operations at their new flour mill in Lowell, MI. Then on April 15, leaders of The Fertilizer Institute presented the first-ever Certified Biostimulant award to AgroLiquid in St. Johns. Learn more about the Certified Biostimulant program here: tfi.org/biostimulant. Lippstreu, MABA leaders join MSU groundbreakings: Earlier in April, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu, 1st Vice Chair John Tilt and many MABA member company representatives were on hand for groundbreaking events marking the construction of MSU’s new Plant Science Greenhouses and Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. These needed investments stand to maintain MSU as a global leader in agricultural research, education and innovation, and will advance Michigan agriculture for decades to come. Read more here. Eastern Market Corporation hosts April Ag Club Breakfast: We appreciated leaders from Eastern Market for hosting the Lansing Ag Club Breakfast in mid-April. Eastern Market Corporation is a long-time MABA member and a great partner for Michigan agriculture. We encourage you to mark your calendar for Ag Club events during the summer and fall! See below or visit www.miagbiz.org/events for more information. Upcoming Events June 18, 2024 – Scholarship Golf Outing, Mt. Pleasant; the course is full but hole sponsorships and dinner tickets remain available! July 23, 2024 – Detroit Ag Club Breakfast, Eastern Market; join us Tuesday, July 23 at 9:00 AM for this first-of-its-kind Ag Club Breakfast! For a full event calendar, visit www.miagbiz.org/events.