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.
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.
“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.”
On February 17, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu joined Michigan Radio’s Stateside to discuss topics in the agriculture industry. The following are some portions of the interview, lightly edited.
The interview covered a wide additional range of issues and you can listen to the entire interview here, beginning at the 12:00 mark of the program. We appreciate April Baer and Stateside for the opportunity to discuss Michigan’s agriculture industry. Stateside airs each day on Michigan Radio at 3:00 and 8:00 PM.
During the week of February 2, 2025, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu led a group of members on a visit to Washington, DC for meetings with national trade association partners and Members of Congress.
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. These meetings provided important background for Leadership Program members attending the visits.
Later in the week, we met with several members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation. 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.
MABA thanks all of our DC-based partners and policymakers for taking time to visit with Michigan agribusiness leaders!
The application window for the 2025-2026 Michigan Agri-Business Leadership Program class is underway! Applications will be accepted from February 8, 2025 until May 30, 2025.
Applications must be received by Close of Business on May 30!
Go here for the application.
What is the Agri-Business Leadership Program? The objective of the Michigan Agri-Business Leadership Program, a four-session program taking place during the course of a year, is to identify emerging leaders in Michigan’s agribusiness industry and provide them with a unique opportunity for personal growth and professional development. The program is designed to offer information, hands-on training and ground level experiences in several critical areas regarding policy, legislation and regulatory matters.
Participants will learn the “nuts and bolts” of the opportunities and challenges facing our industry, and what we need to do to continue moving forward, both politically and economically. They will also discuss issues and brief policy leaders on our industry’s perspective on these critical issues. Most important, they will learn more about how their experiences in Michigan Agriculture can be leveraged to make a difference in Lansing and Washington.
2025-26 dates will be as follows:
Go here to learn more about the program.
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