20 Michigan agriculture and agri-business organizations, led by Michigan Farm Bureau, this week requested Gov. Gretchen Whitmer act to provide farmers and timber producers with temporary relief from diesel prices.
A letter led by MFB and cosigned by MABA and 18 other organizations requests the Governor to provide 90 days of temporary relief from state restrictions and penalties on the use of nontaxable, dyed diesel fuel in highway vehicles registered for agricultural or forest product use.
The letter notes, in part:
“Michigan is in the middle of harvest, one of the most important and fuel-intensive times ofthe year for farmers, loggers and the businesses that support them. Farmers andagribusinesses are already facing high input costs, tight margins and continued marketvolatility, while diesel prices have reached record-high levels. Grain trucks, farm trucks,livestock haulers, log trucks and other agricultural and forestry vehicles are moving cropsand products from farms and forests to elevators, processors, storage facilities andmarkets every day.These higher fuel costs extend throughout the agricultural and forestry supply chains.Elevators, processors, trucking operations and other businesses that help move Michigan’scrops and forest products are also facing increased transportation costs, adding furtherpressure during this critical time of year.”
If you have questions about this topic, contact Chuck Lippstreu. More discussion of this topic is available from the Michigan Farm News.
MABA finished September strong, with a successful Outlook Conference on Mackinac Island, continued engagement with legislative candidates ahead of the November election, meetings with our members at national industry events and continued efforts supporting the Educational Trust.
As a service to all of you who support and advance the Michigan Agri-Business Association, we provide regular summaries of these types of activities. This is not an all-inclusive update. If you have specific questions, please contact Chuck or Kara from the MABA staff.
Membership dues renewals for 2027 are being distributed this week! As a reminder, MABA dues will remain unchanged for 2027, and 2027 Sustaining Sponsor Program support levels will also remain unchanged. Sponsorship commitments for 2027 are requested by December 31, 2026 (we need a verbal or written commitment by this date) and are billable anytime in the coming year. Thank you for your strong support of MABA!
Engagement with State Legislative and Statewide Office Candidates
MABA continues to interact with candidates of both parties as we are one month from the November election. We have also worked hard to connect our members with candidates and facilitate opportunities for you to meet them. This month, your association:
When we meet with candidates, we are emphasizing the need for predictability, partnership and a seat at the table for agriculture. Our efforts are slated to continue through, and following the election.
Continued Work at the State Capitol
Even with election season well underway, there is some activity in the Michigan Legislature and a number of bills were heard by committees last week. While little legislation is likely to be passed prior to the next session of the Legislature in 2027, it is highly important to stay engaged because bills being taken up now will likely be taken up next year. Here are notes on two key pieces of legislation we have worked on in recent weeks:
MABA and Educational Trustees host Memorial Golf Outing
On September 10, we hit the road to Ithaca for the 2026 MABA Educational Trust Memorial Golf Outing. MABA members completely sold out The Fields Golf Course and made a big difference for the scholarship fund, raising several thousand dollars to support scholarships.
Just yesterday, we closed the Spring 2027 semester application window for scholarships. We anticipate approximately 20 scholarships will be awarded later this month, thanks to your strong support and participation!
MABA, Partners Host Outlook Conference on Mackinac Island
We enjoyed visiting with 200+ MABA members September 11, 12 and 13 on Mackinac Island at the Outlook Conference! This was another well-attended and insightful meeting, bringing together leaders from across the state and nation, and from every segment of our industry. We appreciate all of the organizations and experts who took time to present at this meeting.
We hope you will be sure to save the date for September 10-12, 2027!
MABA supports Michigan Corn-led Sustainable Aviation Fuel Symposium
We appreciated the opportunity to be part of the Great Lakes Sustainable Fuel Symposium hosted by Michigan Corn in Dearborn. The purpose of this meeting was to focus on positioning Michigan as a leader in sustainable fuel production, including through the production of advanced biofuels like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). MABA was glad to help sponsor this first-of-its-kind event because advanced biofuels hold substantial economic promise for Michigan agriculture. Your support of MABA equips our association to play a role in new opportunities such as this one.
Registration for 2027 Trade Show Opens
We are receiving strong participation for the 2027 Trade Show at the upcoming Winter Conference. Registration for exhibitors is open now and we encourage you to consider being part of this special event! The Trade Show brings energy and excitement to the Winter Conference by serving as the central location for conference meals and reception events.
Notably, we have seen strong attendance from state legislators and their staff in recent years as MABA deliberately focuses on bringing these decision-makers to tour the show. Your participation in the Trade Show is a unique way to help communicate the strength of the industry. This is especially important next January as we will welcome a new legislature to Lansing.
Go here to secure your spot at the Trade Show!
Upcoming Event Reminders
Be sure to mark your calendar for upcoming association events!
Ag Club Breakfast events are upcoming on October 6, November 4 and December 3. Information, along with dates for 2027 and 2028 Ag Club Breakfast events, is posted at: www.miagbiz.org/events. If you are interested in hosting a breakfast, contact the association.
We encourage members to save the date for Winter Conference activities, including the association’s virtual RUP seminars on December 15-16, 2026 and the Winter Conference & Trade Show in Lansing on January 12-13, 2027.
The MABA Sustaining Sponsor Program has been a tremendous success for several years, both in terms of participation, and helping you better plan your expenditures and contributions. It’s an easy, straightforward way to support our activities, while supporting your Association and helping keep registration fees affordable.
With your generous support, we continue to expand MABA communication and program offerings. In 2026, thanks to the efforts of Sustaining Sponsors, MABA was able to maintain reasonable costs for member activities such as the Winter Conference and Grain Grading Seminars. Your support equipped the association to launch new workplace communication programming for members free-of-charge in January and May. And sponsor support made possible new member listening sessions in the spring, which will continue into Q4 and 2027. These are just a few examples of what was only possible due to the support of all of you, the Association’s Sustaining Sponsors.
We continue to highlight our Sustaining Sponsors wherever our work takes us, and I hope you will continue as a Sustaining Sponsor for 2027 or sign up as a sponsor! Go here to support MABA with a 2027 Sustaining Sponsorship. You can also contact any MABA staff member.
2027 Program Levels Are Unchanged:
Support levels for 2027 remain the same, with five levels of contribution options:
*Includes one week of AgFacts sponsorship.** Includes recognition at bottom of every AgFacts, at least one and up to two weeks of AgFacts sponsorship.
The following benefits remain available for you as a Sustaining Sponsor, effective for the 2027 sponsorship year:
Lobbying Notice: While MABA continues to achieve strong results for you at the state capitol, no Sustaining Sponsorship funds are spent on lobbying activities. Up to 10% of annual membership dues support MABA state lobbying expenses.
Thank you for your strong support of MABA and Michigan agriculture.
The Michigan Agri-Business Association today filed a Notice of Intent to Participate with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) in its review of the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
The procedural filing ensures MABA can participate as a Party of Record as the STB considers the proposed transaction and its potential impacts.
“Our membership relies heavily on freight rail to move agricultural commodities and inputs. Reliable, affordable and competitive freight rail service is important for our industry and MABA members have a substantial interest in the outcome of this merger proposal,” said MABA President Chuck Lippstreu.
In September 2025, MABA joined a letter led by the Rail Customer Coalition raising concerns about the transaction.
As the STB review moves forward, MABA will remain engaged in the proceeding and work to ensure Michigan agriculture’s voice is heard. Association members with questions and input can contact Chuck Lippstreu at chuck@miagbiz.org.
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