6-2-2021

Agriculture, conservation partners support proposal to continue Michigan environmental protection program

June 2, 2021 — A diverse community of agricultural and conservation organizations today announced their support for Senate Bill 494, a proposal introduced by Senator Kevin Daley to continue the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) and renew fees paid by farmers and agribusinesses to support the program.

 Approximately 3,500 Michigan farms have completed nearly 6,000 on-farm verifications through MAEAP. MAEAP is an innovative, proactive program that for more than 20 years has helped farms of all sizes and commodities voluntarily reduce agricultural pollution risks through education and on-farm assistance.

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6-2-2021

MABA supports creation of Michigan High-Speed Internet Office

June 3, 2021 — Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week announced a new move to help bridge the digital divide by establishing the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) to make high-speed internet more affordable and accessible. 

Governor Whitmer announced the new office at the Dick & Sandy Dauch Club, part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. MABA President Chuck Lippstreu joined the event to highlight the importance of high-speed internet for Michigan’s rural communities.

“Bridging the digital divide is a critical need for our state’s rural communities, Main Street businesses and agriculture sector, and we appreciate Governor Whitmer’s commitment to ensure state government is unified in its approach to tackling this challenge,” said Lippstreu. “We look forward to working with the new Office of High-Speed Internet to share agriculture’s unique perspective and do our part to connect Michigan.”

The full announcement on this topic is here.

5-24-2021

Updates on Workplace Safety Guidance

May 24, 2021 —The Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration (MIOSHA) has issued updated rules for employers. The new rules are here. Key points:

  • The rules largely bring MIOSHA in line with what the MDHHS announced two weeks ago in terms of restrictions, masks, etc.
  • The release notes “Employers may allow fully vaccinated employees to not wear face coverings and social distance provided they have a policy deemed effective to ensure non-vaccinated individuals continue to follow these requirements.”
  • In terms of what is deemed effective I am including the relevant part of the order below.
  • Note that employers have several options to comply with the new mask rules. One of the options is to post signs notifying employees of the need for unvaccinated people to wear a mask.
  • Nothing in the rules prohibits an employer from continuing to require masks for all employees regardless of vaccination status; in fact it is another “approved” way to comply with the rule. See below for more.

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5-18-2021

Consider Weather Forecasts When Planning Fertilizer Applications

 

Heavy rainfall events are a prime contributor to agricultural nutrient losses, with water transporting nutrients to surface water bodies. Recently applied mineral fertilizers on the soil surface are at particular risk for transport as moving water can carry fertilizer particles, as well as quickly convert nutrients into dissolved forms. Commercial fertilizers are designed to be highly water soluble for optimal agronomic performance, but that also means they can easily dissolve into water and carried from fields.

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