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
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.”
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!
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