Applications Open: Public Policy and Communications Intern, Summer 2023
Go here to view this position in PDF format.
Organization Overview
Based in Lansing, MI, the Michigan Agri-Business Association is a strong voice and dedicated advocate for Michigan agriculture. MABA represents nearly 300 businesses spanning ag retail, seed, fertilizer, and crop protection businesses; grain handlers; feed suppliers and food processors; truck and rail transportation providers, utility services and beyond. We offer a range of networking events in the agricultural industry, support our members with continuing education, and advocate for our member businesses before the Michigan Legislature, departments of state government, Congress and federal agencies.
MABA will host one intern for Summer 2023 to assist our team with a range of membership support, advocacy and communication activities. This is a unique internship opportunity tailored for an emerging leader interested in agriculture and related industries, and/or Michigan government.
Position Description
Objective: To help advance the Michigan Agri-Business Association and Michigan’s agriculture industry, while gaining critical communication and public policy skills.
Functions:
Schedule: 20 to 40 hours weekly dependent upon your schedule. Start and end dates to be determined alongside your schedule.
Compensation: This is a paid internship at an hourly rate of $15.00.
Qualifications & Skills
How to Apply
Submit a resume and short cover letter by email to maba@miagbiz.org. Please clearly state your goals for an internship at MABA. Include your availability (including any Summer 2023 dates you are unavailable) and potential start date in your cover letter. For more information contact Grace Smith at grace@miagbiz.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be accepted no later than January 31, 2023. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
December 16, 2022 — If you managed a group viewing session for MABA’s December Credit Sessions and would like to submit RUP credit verification for your group, please follow these instructions.
1. Download the form available here.
2. For each session, input the information for each individual who attended.
3. Note on the form the email address of the person who signed into the session and registered for the Winter Conference.
4. Email the completed form to kara@miagbiz.org. We will review it and submit it to MDARD.
You can also view an individual reporting tool here. You are welcome to fill this out for each of your attendees if you wish. The above spreadsheet is designed to give you an option to make larger-group reporting a little easier.
If you have questions, contact any member of the MABA staff. Thank you for attending our event!
Rail network shutdown would be catastrophic for Michigan businesses
LANSING, Mich. – Leaders of trade organizations representing hundreds of Michigan businesses today called on Congress to intervene in the rail labor dispute that threatens to shut down America’s freight rail network in early December.
“A rail strike would be devastating for Michigan’s economy and cannot be allowed to occur,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “Michigan agriculture is a leading economic engine for our state, pumping more than $100 billion into our economy every year. Rural businesses depend on rail to move grain, fertilizer and many other products. A rail strike would pile on to existing logistics challenges in our industry and snarl the agricultural supply chain.”
“Rail service is essential to the transportation of chemicals key to manufacturers of all kinds, as well as water treatment, refining and electricity generation,” said John Dulmes, executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council. “The business of chemistry would be among the first impacted, and hardest-hit, in the event of a rail network shutdown, and we are counting on Congress to act.”
In September, the Biden administration helped broker tentative contract agreements between major rail carriers and their labor unions. Unfortunately, these agreements have been rejected by several unions. The ‘status quo’ period where unions have agreed to continue working ends Friday, Dec. 9. With no work agreement and no Congressional action, a strike would begin. Certain commodities shipped by rail could start to be embargoed as soon as this weekend.
President Joe Biden yesterday called for Congress to intervene and approve the contract agreements reached in September.
Dulmes said chemical manufacturers in Michigan rely on regular rail shipments to operate and would face potential disruptions within days of a strike. Chemicals transported by rail support industries – including automotive, semiconductor and steel production – accounting for 4% of GDP. Freight rail is also needed to deliver essential services to people across Michigan, particularly for chlorine and other water treatment chemicals.
A rail strike would also be a major disruption for rural Michigan, Lippstreu noted, with grain and fertilizer transportation, and access to export markets of particular concern. A wide range of Michigan-grown products are sent by rail to markets across the nation and to export terminals. Additionally, Michigan farm supply retailers depend on rail service for fertilizer shipments, and a rail strike would further tangle fertilizer supply chains that have faced historic disruption in recent years.
A rail strike would amplify existing rail service problems faced by Michigan and U.S. businesses that primarily stem from national ‘Class I’ freight rail carriers. These rail service disruptions were recently termed a “service meltdown” by the chairman of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.
“Our industries and many others need reliable, timely rail transportation service, and this threat of a rail strike is the latest potential disruption faced by Michigan businesses,” said Dulmes. “Long-term reforms are still needed to ensure the viability of freight rail, but a rail strike would be a huge setback and greatly amplify existing problems in the network. We are counting on Congress to act without delay and avert such a disruption.”
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About the Michigan Agri-Business Association: The Michigan Agri-Business Association serves as a strong advocate and dedicated resource for Michigan’s food and agriculture sector. The Association’s 300 members span the agricultural value chain. They include retailers that provide seed, fertilizer, crop protection and technology to farmers; businesses that handle and export grain; animal feed suppliers; food processors; logistics companies and beyond. Learn more at www.miagbiz.org.
About the Michigan Chemistry Council: The Michigan Chemistry Council, established in 1967, represents Michigan’s chemical manufacturers, formulators and distributors. Chemistry is one of Michigan’s largest manufacturing sectors, supporting more than 80,000 Michigan jobs and directly impacting more than 96% of all manufactured goods. Chemical products are one of the leading categories of freight rail moved in Michigan. Learn more at www.michiganchemistry.com.
October 21, 2022 – Throughout October, the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) has weighed in with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on two critical reviews the agency has undertaken regarding agricultural technology. MABA’s formal comments to the EPA support our members’ efforts to feed and fuel America using safe, approved agricultural technology.
First, in early October MABA joined more than 16,000 U.S. farmers and agribusiness organizations in expressing deep concern on EPA’s proposal to restrict Atrazine use. If enacted, this misguided proposal would effectively take Atrazine off the table for many growers and their ag retail advisors.
MABA President Chuck Lippstreu wrote, “Atrazine is a critical tool used safely by Michigan farmers to control weeds, while safeguarding the future of the environment through sound conservation practices. It represents one of the most cost-effective, safest products available in this regard. Unfortunately, the EPA’s proposal disregards these facts, fails to follow the advice of the agency’s own Scientific Advisory Panel, and if enacted will result in substantial economic harm for Michigan.” Read the MABA comment here.
Many other Michigan interests expressed concern with this proposal, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (comment available here) and Michigan Corn (comment available here.)
In addition, last week MABA submitted a comment of support for the reregistration of dicamba as the EPA undertakes its standard, periodic 15 year assessment. You can read the comment here.
We continue to work with partner organizations in Michigan and across America to safeguard our industry’s continued use of safe, proven, effective crop protection technology.
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