News

MABA updates members on April 2024 activities

As always, we want to keep MABA members informed about some of your Association’s activities during recent weeks!

Before we dive into events, importantly, this spring has included a major focus from MABA on upgrading and growing our member services. We detailed several of the new steps we have announced at a post here on our website. These include the launch of a new website, the ability to get the AgFacts via text message, enhanced online invoicing and the availability of a new Member Portal.

Here is a rundown of some other events and activities the past month:

Member company resources on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Throughout April and May, MABA has strived to deliver timely updates and useful resources for members amid the expanded outbreak of HPAI. We encourage all members, even those not in the poultry and dairy industries, to visit www.miagbiz.org/HPAI for fact sheets and other resources geared toward member businesses.

MABA member company hosts Agriculture Secretary, Member of Congress: On April 26, Jorgensen Farm Elevator hosted a roundtable discussion with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. Several MABA members were in attendance at this event. Thank you to these leaders for spotlighting mid-Michigan agriculture!

Member Services Director Kara Boring joins announcement events at AgroLiquid, King Milling Company: We had an opportunity to help mark two key announcements by MABA members during the month of April. On April 10, King Milling Company kicked off operations at their new flour mill in Lowell, MI. Then on April 15, leaders of The Fertilizer Institute presented the first-ever Certified Biostimulant award to AgroLiquid in St. Johns. Learn more about the Certified Biostimulant program here: tfi.org/biostimulant.

Lippstreu, MABA leaders join MSU groundbreakings: Earlier in April, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu, 1^st Vice Chair John Tilt and many MABA member company representatives were on hand for groundbreaking events marking the construction of MSU’s new Plant Science Greenhouses and Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. These needed investments stand to maintain MSU as a global leader in agricultural research, education and innovation, and will advance Michigan agriculture for decades to come. Read more here.

Eastern Market Corporation hosts April Ag Club Breakfast: We appreciated leaders from Eastern Market for hosting the Lansing Ag Club Breakfast in mid-April. Eastern Market Corporation is a long-time MABA member and a great partner for Michigan agriculture. We encourage you to mark your calendar for Ag Club events during the summer and fall! See below or visit www.miagbiz.org/events for more information.

Upcoming Events

June 18, 2024 – Scholarship Golf Outing, Mt. Pleasant; the course is full but hole sponsorships and dinner tickets remain available!

July 23, 2024 – Detroit Ag Club Breakfast, Eastern Market; join us Tuesday, July 23 at 9:00 AM for this first-of-its-kind Ag Club Breakfast!

For a full event calendar, visit www.miagbiz.org/events.

Highlighting expansions of MABA member services, communication, advocacy

The Michigan Agri-Business Association is proud of our role as a strong advocate and dedicated resource for the Michigan agriculture industry. As we often say, our Association’s effectiveness comes from the participation and support of our member companies. We strive to deliver world-class service and results for these Michigan businesses.

Throughout 2024, the MABA team has focused on steady, continuous improvement across all we do in member services, advocacy, information sharing and beyond. Today we wanted to share a summary of key investments and improvements your association has made during the last six months, all geared toward ensuring world-class value for you.

• Launched a redesigned, updated website: The new www.miagbiz.org, launched in January 2024, streamlines information available to you and makes it easier to access news and events from MABA.
• Expanded delivery options for the AgFacts Newsletter: MABA launched a new text messaging service this spring that allows members to get a text message link to the AgFacts. This is especially useful for those with email parameters that make receiving newsletters difficult. Go here to sign up.
• Launched a new Member Portal: We encourage members to visit this page to learn how you can take advantage of the new MABA Member Portal, offering access to the AgFacts Newsletter, policy briefings, online invoicing and more.
• Enhanced the new online invoicing and payment system: In Fall 2023, MABA rolled out an updated, streamlined way for members to view and pay invoices from MABA online. We have continued to refine this service and today, members are able to pay invoices online via credit card and ACH, and access invoicing information.
• Bolstered your voice in Lansing: Since Winter 2023, MABA has partnered with a highly-experienced lobbying team to amplify your voice before the Michigan Legislature and state departments of government.

We are proud of these improvements we have made for MABA members. They are helping us maximize the value we provide for businesses statewide, and complement our work to grow the Association’s events, membership involvement and advocacy. We welcome your suggestions. At any time, contact Chuck or Kara of the MABA staff with your questions and comments!

Stay in touch with MABA using new text messaging service!

MABA Details CY 2025-2028 Dues Investment Levels

From MABA President Chuck Lippstreu:

Today we announced that beginning next year, in 2025, MABA’s annual dues will increase for the first time in eight years. This dues adjustment will be approximately 12.5% over the current dues. This new dues amount will remain the same from 2025 through 2028. The Board of Directors and I agree that a periodic review and adjustment of dues, on a predictable basis, is prudent management and provides certainty for all of you.

Here is a chart demonstrating these new investment levels:

MABA Dues Comparison Chart, CY2024 v. CY2025-2028

Your dues investment is fueling results for the industry. We continue to deliver for you on all fronts and we are proud of our achievements. In just the past year, thanks to your investment in MABA, your association:

• Achieved multiple “wins” for you before the Michigan Legislature, amid an unprecedented shift in control in Lansing.
• Further bolstered our presence in the halls of government headed into 2024, partnering with a highly-experienced lobbying team to amplify your voice.
• Launched a redesigned and updated website to better serve you.
• Launched a new Member Portal to give you better access to the AgFacts, membership updates and invoicing.
• Delivered a world-class Winter Conference and Trade Show. The growth of this special event is built on your feedback and suggestions, which we have appreciated.
• Delivered virtual RUP and CCA training opportunities to provide even more credit training on top of the Winter Conference.

If there were ever a time to have a strong, active, effective Michigan Agri-Business Association, this is it. The pace of change has increased in our industry and MABA continues to lead opportunities for you to stay ahead of it. Meanwhile, the need is greater than ever for a strong advocacy presence. All results achieved by our team are ultimately made possible through your strong support.

If you have questions about this dues adjustment, please feel free to contact me directly at chuck@miagbiz.org or on my cell phone at 616-265-4698. Thank you again for your strong support and partnership.

Chuck

Chuck Lippstreu
President | Michigan Agri-Business Association