Most Recent Updates
Updated July 1 with recent USDA and MDARD announcements of resources to assist dairy farmers implementing biosecurity practices.
June 26 Amendment to Michigan Emergency Order – Fairs – Order / FAQ
June 27 – USDA to Begin Accepting Applications for Expanded Emergency Livestock Assistance Program to Help Dairy Producers Offset Milk Loss Due to H5N1 (FSA News Release)
The Michigan Agri-Business Association is reminding member companies to focus on awareness, communication and collaboration as Michigan agriculture works to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The following information includes a summary of the situation and action steps for rural businesses in Michigan.
Fact sheets for employee communication and other resources for use by member companies appear at the bottom of this page.
July 8, 2024 —The Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) Educational Trust announced it will award scholarships to 16 Michigan students planning to enter the agriculture industry. These scholarships offered through the Educational Trust totaled more than $20,000 for the Fall 2024 collegiate semester.
“Thanks to the generosity and support of Michigan Agri-Business Association members, our educational trust was proud to deliver another round of scholarships to young leaders preparing for a career in agriculture,” said MABA Educational Trust Chair Ward Forquer. “Michigan’s rural businesses recognize the importance of investing in the next generation. We congratulate these scholarship recipients and wish them the best success in the future.”
With Independence Day around the corner, summer is in full swing. For our MABA team, the past few weeks have been marked by several important developments in Lansing alongside a number of events led by your Association.
We have all sorts of activities and events coming up! I encourage you to take a few minutes over the holiday and make a plan for your engagement with industry events in July, August and into the fall!
Thank you for your support, participation and engagement.
Legislative Update
Throughout June, the Michigan Budget for FY2025 was the main topic lawmakers were focused on.
This culminated with approval of budgets for the agencies of state government, and the education omnibus, on Thursday June 27. The Legislature passed an $82.5 billion state budget after a 19-hour session. A full report on the budget from the Detroit Free Press is here.
The budget process is important to fund departments like the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and this year’s budget included a few items of note for MABA and Michigan agriculture. It continues the current approach to MAEAP delivery that’s led by conservation districts, while funding a study on the “funding and role” of the conservation districts. The budget continues to fund agricultural climate resiliency and soil health research through a program whose funding was widely supported by ag groups and MSU. The budget also includes a tax credit that will allow fuel retailers who sell E15 to claim a rebate of 5 cents per gallon of blended fuel sold.
The budget summary is here; the MDARD budget is toward the top of this document. Reach out with questions.
With the budget done and lawmakers returning to their districts, the campaign season rapidly kicks into gear.
Educational Trust hosts Scholarship Golf Outing
On June 18, more than 140 golfers joined together at the PohlCat Golf Course in Mt. Pleasant to raise money for the MABA Educational Trust!
This special event was once again made possible by a wide range of volunteers, hole sponsors and silent auction contributors. You can see who all participated at this link.
This important scholarship fund continues to help young people further their education and advance toward a career in Michigan Agriculture. Your participation helps keep our industry strong and growing! Learn more: https://miagbiz.org/resources/educational-trust
MABA joins farm group leaders at Potato Day at the Capitol, Wheat Field Day; Updates members at NSAC and MMA meetinga
In early June Michigan Potatoes hosted the 2024 Potato Day at the Capitol to spotlight the potato industry, which supports nearly 22,000 Michigan jobs and generates $2.5 billion in economic benefits for our state every year! We had an opportunity to stop by and support this opportunity to educate legislators about the industry. Thanks to Michigan’s potato industry leaders and Michigan Potato Industry Commission Executive Director Kelly Turner for taking time to share information about Michigan agriculture with state leaders. Learn more about potatoes’ contributions to Michigan’s economy at: https://report.mipotato.com/
In addition, MABA’s Summer Intern Karli Kreger represented our association at the 2024 Michigan Wheat Program Field Day on June 25. She also participated in the 2024 Intern Mixer hosted by the Michigan Soybean Association and Soybean Committee. We continue to appreciate the engagement and partnership of Michigan farm organizations!
Agricultural Leaders of Michigan Legislative lunch
Representatives of the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan hosted a lunch briefing for members of the Michigan Legislature and their staff, one of many ongoing efforts to build and maintain strong relationships at the Capitol. MABA president Chuck Lippstreu represented the association during this lunch. We provided a background briefing on MABA and its members, and discussed the importance of modern technology and innovation for agricultural production. Other members of the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan include the Michigan Pork Producers Association, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, and the Michigan Milk Producers Association, all of which provided briefings to lawmakers. Pictured below are Doug Chapin and Sheila Burkhardt, MMPA; Lippstreu; Mary Kelpinski, Michigan Pork; and Pete Lemmer, GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Chuck Lippstreu provides updates to members at MMA, NSAC Great Lakes meetings
On June 13 and 14, Chuck hit the road to provide political and legislative updates to our members at two partnership meetings: The National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives Great Lakes Chapter, and the Michigan Millers Association. These organizations comprise dozens of MABA member companies in the wheat milling, grain handling and CPA/accounting segments. With a historic election on the horizon and a lot moving in Lansing that holds long-term implications for Michigan Agriculture, we appreciated the chance to provide these updates. We are always happy to join meetings around the state or provide video update messages if scheduling is not possible. Contact Chuck or Kara with questions.
Upcoming Events
July 23, 2024 Detroit Ag Club Breakfast @Eastern Market: Registration is open!
August 13, 2024 Ag Club Breakfast in St. Johns @AgroExpo: Registration is open!
September 5, 2024 Memorial Golf Outing: Registration is open!
September 6-8, 2024 Outlook Conference: Registration is open!
In The News
Michigan’s ‘queen of ag’ is retiring (Bridge Michigan)
Ag leaders underscore need for wage rate reform (Farm Progress)
With last week’s successful Scholarship Golf Outing on June 18, we want to take a moment to recognize those who stepped up as hole sponsors, volunteers and planners for this event. The MABA Educational Trust continues to raise substantial resources for scholarships supporting the next generation of Michigan Agriculture, and it can’t be done without your help and support. Thank you to our hole sponsors, Silent Auction donors, volunteers and Educational Trustees for making another special event possible.
Volunteers: Ward Forquer, MABA Educational Trustee and Lead Event Planner; Phil Needler, MABA Educational Trustee; Joe Rader, Millington Elevator; Al Pung, Brevant Seeds; Nick Mop, ecojiva; Kurt Fisher, Sure Crop Fertilizers; Emily Kouzmanov and Geoff Finger, Kapnick Insurance; Sarah Pawlanta, GWRR; Peggy Emeis, WATCO; Jake Schuster, Harvest Solar.
Silent Auction Contributors: Carol Schmiege, Harvest Solar, Harvey Milling Company, Harvey Trading Company, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Star of the West Milling Company, WSGW, and Zeeland Farm Services.
Hole Sponsors:
A & M Logistics, LLC
ADM Fertilizer
Advanced Micronutrient Products
Advance Trading, Inc.
Ag Resource Management
Agri-Strategies LLC
Assured Partners
Bandit Industries, Inc.
Barton Marlow Company
BASF
Bayer Crop Science, LLC
BRB Seed Services, Inc.
Brevant Seeds
Brink Farms, Inc.
Buchholz Transport, Inc.
Cameron Micronutrients
Christiana Partners
Compass Minerals
Coyne Oil & Propane
DEKALB Asgrow
DPH Biologicals
Dyna-Gro Seeds
Ecojiva, LLC
Elevator Services and Storage, Inc.
Fisher Companies
FMC Corporation
GarrCo Products, Inc.
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.
Geoff Espe
Gold Coast Sales, LLC
Greenstone Farm Credit Services
Harvest Solar
Harvey’s
Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC
Huron and Eastern Railway
Intrepid Potash
Kapnick Insurance Group
Kent Nutrition Group
Keystone Cooperative, Inc.
Lake State Railway Company
Loveland Products
MacAllister Rentals
Marcus Construction Co., Inc.
Michigan Agricultural Commodities
Mid-Michigan Railroad
Michigan Potash & Salt Company
Momentum Ag, LLC
Murray Equipment, Inc.
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Orion Industrial, LLC
Pleasant Graphics, Inc.
PohlCat Golf Course
RM Johnson Group, LLC
Rob-See-Co
Sargent Docks & Terminal
Shepherd Bar & Restaurant
Star of the West Milling Co.
Stifel, Nicholaus & Co.
Sure Crop Fertilizers
Syngenta
Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.
The Andersons, Inc.
The Brown Family
The Fields Golf Course
The Mosaic Company
The Nature Conservancy
Timac Agro USA
USPP-Tri Lakes, LLC
Valent U.S.A.
Viterra
Watco
Wilbur Ellis Co.
Xitavo
Zeeland Farm Services, Inc.
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