Throughout March, our MABA team took the opportunity to connect with our members and partners, and we continued to make progress on our advocacy efforts. We wanted to provide a short update to MABA members and interested partners. At the beginning of the month, we made a major announcement detailing expanded events serving the industry. We encourage all MABA members to review our calendar of upcoming events! In Lansing, the Michigan Legislature is making its way through a busy spring that’s mainly focused on the creation of an FY27 state budget. MABA has continued communication on our budget priorities, including support for Michigan State University and funding for certain government services important to the industry. We are also working on a number of bills making their way through the Legislature independent of the budget. Notably, MABA this month joined other agricultural organizations supporting legislation that would streamline water permits in certain circumstances, an important topic affecting many of our members. We also weighed in with testimony to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, supporting a project that will bring hundreds of new jobs to West Michigan and boost our state’s dairy industry. We also endeavor to make your voice heard in Washington, DC, partnering with national ag groups to represent the industry. This past month we were represented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Pesticide Control Officials, as well as the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan’s Washington DC breakfast. Thank you to Board members Jacob Hecht from Star of the West Milling Company and Larry Dassance with Helena for helping represent MABA at the breakfast, and in meetings on Capitol Hill. In followup meetings with Members of Congress, we discussed a range of priority topics, including the need for a long-term Farm Bill and the importance for Michigan of USMCA renewal. As the industry faces serious economic uncertainty, MABA continues to partner with national experts to ensure Michigan policymakers, the press and other stakeholders have good and actionable information on important topics. Beyond these efforts, one of our main focus areas this year is to continue meeting all of you, our members, in the communities where you live and work. This month we hosted two member listening sessions in Jackson and Bad Axe, and a webinar briefing for members. We also attended the Michigan Milk Producers Annual Meeting, and met with several MABA members located in Southeast Michigan. We will get back out around the state for more of these meetings into the summer. In the short term, we’re continuing in April with an Ag Club Breakfast in Hart, MI, and welcoming members to grain grading seminars in mid-April. We appreciate your continued support and we are working hard to earn it! Here are some photos from the past few weeks: Screenshot
