Members of the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA), a trade association representing nearly 300 companies spanning the food and agriculture value chain, named John Tilt with Vita Plus Corporation as the organization’s 2025 Chairman. The Association named additional new officers and Board members at its annual business meeting January 8.
“The Michigan Agri-Business Association strengthens relationships in Michigan agriculture to advance our entire industry, and I am proud to help lead it,” said Tilt. “Working together, we can ensure MABA continues to be a dependable resource – and strong voice – for Michigan agriculture.”
“I am excited to continue our important work alongside John Tilt and our entire MABA Board in 2025,” said MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “This is a group of professionals committed to ensuring MABA is a world-class organization. I appreciate them for stepping up to lead.”
Tilt is the General Manager of Vita Plus’s feed and grain facilities in Michigan, and is a Michigan State University graduate with degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics. He also serves on his Township Planning Commission, County Economic Development Corporation Board, is a member of the advisory committee for MSU AgBioResearch, and has served for nearly eight years on the MABA Board. Tilt is a Global War on Terrorism combat veteran. He and his wife Barbie, a retired middle/high school teacher, have one daughter, Allie. She is in her 3rd year at Michigan State University, studying Animal Science.
MABA officers for 2025 will be:
In addition, the following leaders were elected to newly serve on the MABA Board:
A complete list of MABA Board members can be viewed here.
LANSING, Mich. | Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) President Chuck Lippstreu issued the following statement on today’s announcement that U.S. Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin will serve on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee in the 119th Congress:
“Today’s announcement that Michigan will continue to be represented on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee is very positive news for our state’s agricultural sector, and all Michiganders. Throughout her service in Congress, Senator Slotkin has demonstrated a strong interest in advancing Michigan agriculture, an industry that creates jobs and drives economic opportunity in all corners of our state. I have no doubt Senator Slotkin will be an effective member of this important panel, ensuring Michigan continues to have a strong voice as the Senate works on critical farm and food policy.”
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MABA Members and Michigan Agriculture Partners,
I want to take a moment to say thank you for your support and participation throughout 2024. I am proud of the results we achieved, working together:
It has been, and continues to be an interesting time for our Michigan Agri-Business Association team! Mid-fall was marked by election leadup, the November election and post-election activities. We continue working hard to prepare for the winter meeting season and the 2025 MABA Winter Conference & Trade Show. Meanwhile, in Lansing, the Michigan Legislature is back during the Lame Duck session through the end of the year. And we continue to help members navigate unique, key issues that will impact the industry in 2025.
Here are some updates from October and November 2024 at MABA:
November 5 General Election Results
In November, MABA posted a Q/A discussion on the results of the 2024 election.Please feel free to contact Chuck of the MABA staff with questions about the election. You can view this Q/A online.
2024 Membership Directories mailed
Earlier this fall, updated 2024 MABA membership directories were mailed to members. If you did not receive a directory, contact the MABA staff!
MABA leads statewide letter to Michigan Legislature on Earned Sick Time ActMABA in November led a coalition of more than 15 statewide agricultural organizations calling for common-sense changes to Earned Sick Time Act policies that are currently scheduled to go into effect in February. “It is important to understand that rural, Main Street businesses and Michigan farms will be among the many other sectors of Michigan’s economy harmed if the Legislature allows these changes to enter into force as written,” the groups wrote to Legislative leaders. More information is available here.
Educational Trust awards Spring 2025 scholarshipsThe Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) Educational Trust announced it will award scholarships to 20 Michigan students planning to enter the agriculture industry. These scholarships offered through the Educational Trust totaled more than $25,000 for the Spring 2025 collegiate semester. From 2020-2024 alone, the MABA Educational Trust has awarded more than 125 scholarships to deserving young people pursuing higher education. Go here to learn more about the scholarship awardees for spring.
MABA hosts Ag Club breakfasts alongside Consumers Energy, Michigan State University; planning for 2025
We appreciate the hosts of our Ag Club Breakfast events in October and November! On October 9, we were joined by leaders of Consumers Energy. Greg Salisbury, VP of Electric Distribution Engineering, provided an update from the company. And on November 6, we were joined by leaders of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MSU Extension and MSU AgBioResearch for an update from the university.
This week, we conclude the Ag Club Breakfast series with an update from Farmers for Soil Health, a partnership of Michigan Corn, Michigan Pork and the Michigan Soybean Association. We appreciate all those who supported Ag Club Breakfast events this year!
We are soliciting Ag Club Breakfast hosts for the following 2025 dates!
To sign up, contact Kara or Chuck of the MABA staff.
MABA Leadership Group joins second program session in Lansing
The MABA Leadership Group for the 2024-25 class held its second session in Lansing on November 5-6, 2024.
During the two-day session, Leadership Program members visited the Michigan Capitol, met with state government leaders from MDARD; leaders of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; state affairs leaders from partner organizations and many others. They also learned about how MABA delivers value for our members during election season and working in the Michigan Legislature. We appreciate all those who joined us for meetings this week.
This year’s group members include Nate Greeley with Zeeland Farm Services, Inc. (ZFS); Joseph Bolle with Quality Roasting; Gary Fritz with Cooperative Elevator Co.; Matthew Naeyaert with GreenStone Farm Credit Services; Scott Krout with CF Industries; and Rex Thayer with Nutrien Ag Solutions Michigan.
Rex Thayer with Nutrien Ag Solutions speaks with MDARD Director, Dr. Tim Boring, during the second session of the MABA Leadership Program in Lansing.
Be thinking about who from your organization could be a future participant in the MABA Leadership Program! Applications for the 2025-26 class will open this month and be accepted until March 2025.
Chobani hosts tour of Muskegon La Colombe Production Facility
In late October, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu joined Chobani leaders, elected officials and economic development experts for a tour of the company’s revamped Muskegon La Colombe production facility, and a roundtable discussion on food security hosted by Chobani. Since acquiring the plant in 2023 Chobani has invested more than $30 million into upgrades to it. U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten and State Representative Greg VanWoerkom played a key role in the discussion on reducing hunger, and helped spotlight the leadership of community and faith organizations to meet this challenge.
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