Agribusiness leaders and state officials join together to emphasize safe grain handling: “We all have a piece in this.”
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) and the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today emphasized the importance of safe grain handling practices ahead of Stand Up for Grain Safety Week. This annual initiative, scheduled for March 24-28, 2025 brings the agricultural industry together to focus on preventing grain handling-related injuries and fatalities.
“Every year, serious injuries and even fatalities occur in grain storage and handling operations. This week is a reminder that safety should always be a top priority,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “We want Michigan’s ag industry to continue to drive economic and rural prosperity, and ensuring everyone working with grain is taking necessary steps for a safe return home each night plays a big role in that success.”
“Grain handlers across our state fuel the strong momentum of Michigan’s agricultural industry and Stand Up For Grain Safety Week supports their daily efforts to make safety a top priority,” said MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “We thank our members across Michigan for continuing to make safety the number-one priority every day.”
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Since the New Year, our team has enjoyed being in the heart of the ag winter meeting season. Following the MABA Winter Conference, we have been around the state to meet our members and allied organizations at their events. Meanwhile, we have remained in close touch with state leaders in Lansing as the state legislative session gets underway. Here are some highlights from the first part of 2025:
Delivering resources and information on trade
Trade and tariffs have been a top issue in early 2025, and MABA has been hard at work to provide timely updates and information to the industry. We continue to provide overall updates at this page on our website. We also continue interacting frequently with policymakers at all levels to underscore the importance of agricultural trade for the industry.
We discussed this issue in depth in an interview with Michigan Radio’s Stateside, available here.
Helping the agriculture industry navigate changes under the Earned Sick Time Act
In recent weeks, advocating for legislative changes to major new requirements under the Earned Sick Time Act was a top priority for MABA and the broader business community. Partnering with a wide range of organizations, MABA served as a strong voice for rural business and agriculture during negotiations in Lansing. This included leading the way on a message to the Legislature signed by 15 Michigan agricultural organizations.
Upon approval of compromise legislation that helped mitigate negative impacts on businesses, we have worked hard to get good information into the hands of MABA members eager to comply with the law. We appreciate the leadership of the Michigan Chamber on this effort; the Chamber has provided comprehensive resources on this topic, and we encourage members to learn more.
MABA recognizes partners throughout Winter Meeting season
Every winter, Michigan Agriculture comes together in different ways across Michigan to see friends, prepare for the year ahead, and advance our industry. It is a priority for MABA to do our best to join these meetings, conferences and events whenever possible to support our partners across the industry and learn what issues are important to them. From December to March:
Every year there are some events we are unable to attend due to schedule challenges, however we continue to encourage all MABA members to support Michigan agriculture throughout these important meetings!
MABA Winter Conference draws 750+ to Lansing
As always, we appreciated all those who joined us for the 2025 Winter Conference & Trade Show. This conference continued its year-over-year growth and was another big success. We are fielding suggestions, feedback and ideas to keep this conference going strong into 2026 and beyond!
MABA members are encouraged to save the date for the 2026 Winter Conference, being held January 13-14, 2026 at the Lansing Center.
MABA Leadership Group holds third session in Washington DC
From February 2-5 the MABA Leadership Program group returned to Washington, DC for meetings with partners and policymakers.
We would like to thank our national trade association partners for taking time to brief the group during this year’s trip. These organizations help ensure agriculture is at the table in Washington, DC every day, and their expertise is critical for our industry. Our group met with experts from The Fertilizer Institute, CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association, the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Grain & Feed Association. We also had the chance to hear from government affairs leaders for two member companies, Nutrien and CF Industries. Thank you again to these key partners.
In the U.S. Senate, the group had opportunities to meet with Senator Elissa Slotkin and staff members for Senator Gary Peters. In the House, the group met with Representatives Jack Bergman, Hillary Scholten, Lisa McClain, Kristen McDonald Rivet, John Moolenaar, and Tim Walberg, and staff members for Reps. Bill Huizenga and Tom Barrett. We discussed trade, the Farm Bill, logistics needs, ag technology and other priority issues for Michigan agriculture.
During this year’s visit, members of the Leadership Program also had an opportunity to place a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. This was a special opportunity to honor those lost in service to our Nation, as well as America’s veterans and all those currently serving.
Two interns will join MABA for Summer 2025
Last month, we announced two interns will join the Association for summer 2025: Sara Dammann of New Lothrop, MI and Madyson “Maddy” Garza of Palms, MI.
Both are undergraduate students at Michigan State University. MABA hosts 1-2 interns each year, providing opportunities for young leaders to learn about trade association management and advocacy.
Learn more about our incoming 2025 interns at this link!
MABA In the News:
Michigan farmers and agricultural researchers navigate uncertainty (Michigan Public) Link
A photo tour of the 2025 Michigan Wheat Program annual winter grower meeting (Farmers Advance) Link
Michigan ag businesses want earned sick time updates (Brownfield Ag News) Link
Fix Earned Sick Time Act, say Michigan food, farming, and rural business orgs (Michigan Farm News) Link
Agricultural organizations urge lawmakers to pass sick time reform (9 & 10 News) Link
Agronomy expert and crop scout Christie in the spotlight (Farm Progress) Link
Updated March 6, 2025 | 3:00 PM
The Michigan Agri-Business Association continues to receive various inquiries from our members about potential tariffs.
MABA is sharing regular updates as a service to our members and interested partners. This message primarily concerns potential tariffs on USMCA partners.
Current Update on Tariffs – March 6, 2025
We were pleased to see action by the Trump Administration on March 6 that further delays tariffs on North American trading partners. We continue to speak with our members to learn about the impacts of tariffs, and potential tariffs on their operations.
Following is MABA’s overall position on trade and tariffs:
We will continue to share information with member companies as news develops on this topic. For more information or with questions, contact Chuck Lippstreu with the Michigan Agri-Business Association.
Resources on Tariff Compliance – March 6, 2025
Amid tariff discussion in recent weeks, some MABA members have asked operational questions about compliance with tariffs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers several introductory resources on this topic which may prove useful in the future:
Previous Updates
Update – Monday, March 3
A story from the Associated Press on the Administration’s tariff plans, current to 3:00 PM, can be found here.
MABA continues to closely monitor trade actions, especially with regard to their impact on Canada and Mexico, major export markets for Michigan agriculture. The specific details of any policies that become effective will matter greatly.
We continue to field member questions on this topic. Reach out to Chuck Lippstreu.
Update – Wednesday, February 5
MABA continues to field a high number of calls about tariffs, especially the potential for tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and we were glad to see agreements that paused potential North American tariffs for 30 days.
MABA has continued to emphasize our shared goals with the Trump Administration related to border security, especially a more secure U.S.-Mexico border, as well as our concern about the possible economic impacts of tariffs. You can read some of the media stories where we have weighed in here:
WZZM (West Michigan): Experts weigh in on how tariffs could impact Michigan
Successful Farming: Michigan Braces for Fallout as Trump Tariffs Target State’s Top 3 Trading Partners
Brownfield: Border ag state braces for trade impacts
Update – Monday February 3
On Monday, February 3, an agreement was reached that delays tariffs on Mexico and Canada for at least 30 days. The previously announced 10% tariff on products from China was enacted Tuesday, February 4. Canada and Mexico made announcements related to border security, including 10,000 Mexican National Guard troops to be deployed to the U.S.-Mexico Border. MABA has continued to emphasize our shared goals with the Trump Administration related to border security, especially a more secure U.S.-Mexico border, as well as our concern about the possible economic impacts of tariffs.
Here are some further comments made by MABA on Monday, February 3:
Border Ag State Braces for Trade Impacts (Brownfield)
How Pending Tariffs Would Affect Michigan Ag (Michigan Farm News)
It is notable that the Administration has tasked several U.S. Government departments with reporting on a range of trade-related issues no later than April 1; such reports could impact tariffs and other tax and trade policy. More information is contained in President Trump’s January 20, 2025 Memorandum, America First Trade Policy.
LANSING, Mich. (February 18, 2025) – The Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) today announced two interns will join the Association for summer 2025: Sara Dammann of New Lothrop, MI and Madyson “Maddy” Garza of Palms, MI.
“One of our responsibilities as an association, and an industry, is to help promising young leaders prepare for successful careers in Michigan agriculture, so we are proud to have Maddy Garza and Sara Dammann join us this summer,” said MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “I am excited that MABA members will benefit from the skills and perspectives of these two outstanding Michigan State University students in the coming months.”
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