This release is also available on the Michigan CCA Website, www.michigancca.org.
Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program today announced the appointment of new members to its state board following elections held this summer, and the launch of a new website, www.michigancca.org. These developments mark an important step forward in strengthening communication with CCAs, farmers, agribusinesses and partners across Michigan agriculture.
“Michigan’s Certified Crop Advisers are on the front lines as farmers’ trusted advisers, helping them make sound, science-based decisions every day in a world of challenge and change,” said Tim Schaub with Rob-See-Co., currently the program chairman for Michigan. “The launch of a new program website for Michigan, and our new, expanded board are important steps to strengthen the program, highlight the important work of CCAs, and deliver useful continuing education opportunities for them.”
The CCA program recognizes the skills and expertise of nearly 300 professional agronomists across Michigan, and delivers continuing education to help them advance in their careers.
The program is administered in partnership with the American Society of Agronomy and plays a critical role in advancing sustainable crop production, conservation and farmer profitability. The program requires rigorous testing, ongoing education, and adherence to a professional code of ethics, ensuring Michigan farmers have access to advisers with deep technical expertise and practical experience.
Board members are elected from among currently-certified CCAs and help steer program activities. The Michigan board now includes:
Growers can learn more about this program and find a link to search local CCAs in their region, by visiting: www.michigancca.org.
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Our MABA team took part in a number of activites across the state and nation during August, and we want to provide a short snapshot of some of these for our members. We are looking forward to getting into the busy fall and winter meeting season, one of our busiest times and also an opportunity to continue hearing from you all! Please continue to contact Kara or Chuck with the MABA team with your questions, concerns and input.
We encourage all members and industry partners to visit www.miagbiz.org/events to learn more about what’s happening throughout October, November and December!
We had a number of opportunities to interact with policy leaders at the end of the summer. This included a listening session with Michigan State University Trustees on August 15, and taking part in a listening session with U.S. Representative Kristin McDonald Rivet later in the month on August 19. We appreciate the Farm Journal Foundation, a MABA member organization, for partnering with MSU on the meeting with Rep. McDonald Rivet. Rob Zeldenrust played the lead role in organizing the meeting with MSU Trustees, and we appreciate his efforts.
You can read more about these events on the MABA Facebook page. A press story from Brownfield following the discussion with Rep. McDonald Rivet can be found here.
We appreciated the opportunity to have MABA members, staff and partners attend the August USDA-NASS crop report briefing. The work of NASS staff across the nation, and the reports prepared by the agency are critical for our industry. MABA was represented by Kara Boring from our team, and we were joined by leaders of The Andersons, Vita Plus Corporation, Advance Trading Inc. and MDARD for this meeting. The group especially appreciated the chance to hear from Secretary Brooke Rollins, and to visit with NASS leaders and USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer.
At the end of August, 20 Michigan industry members attended the 3rd Annual Educational Trust Fishing Trip at Pine Portage Lodge! This trip has greatly ramped up our efforts to fund scholarships for those with a future in Michigan agriculture. Special thanks to Phil Needler, Ward Forquer and Jon Rush for helping plan and lead a successful outing. We encourage everyone in the industry to learn about MABA Ed Trust Scholarship programs and encourage young people to apply by October 1: www.miagbiz.org/resources/educational-trust
On August 25, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu represented the Michigan industry at a summit of national policy leaders convened by Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) as part of its 2025 annual conference. Many of our members across Michigan have a role in the safe, responsible, regulated use of specialty pesticide and fertilizer products. We appreciated the opportunity to participate in this summit as we continue to share information and educate leaders in Lansing about the industry. Learn more about RISE at: www.pestfacts.org
In mid-August, we had another great time at the 2025 AgroExpo! Thank you to the 100+ MABA members who joined our industry breakfast on Wednesday, and our appreciation to AgroLiquid, Consumers Energy and Clinton County Catalyst for making it possible. We congratulate our partners at AgroLiquid for another successful Expo.
One of our goals at MABA is to support and attend Michigan farm organization events, and any event that advances the success of agriculture. Last month we had an opportunity to join one of the Michigan Corn Between the Rows tour stops on August 26 in Rockford. This was a well done and well attended event, and we thank the Michigan Corn team for their time putting together another successful statewide tour in August. Some discussion of tour findings is here.
We look forward to seeing you all throughout the fall and winter. Reach out any time by email to Chuck or Kara from the MABA team!
On August 15, MSU Trustees Kelly Tebay, Brianna Scott, Mike Balow, and Rebecca Behar-Cook took time to visit with Michigan agriculture leaders at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center.
MABA thanks these Trustees for their insights, good questions and an informative conversation with farm organization and agribusiness leaders. In comments to the Trustees, we spotlighted the importance of ag innovation and supporting public trust in it; the impact of budget cuts on MSU’s efforts to support agriculture; and the positive impact made by CANR, Extension and AgBioResearch for the industry.
Thank you again, Trustees, for your time and for keeping Michigan Agriculture top of mind! We would also like to thank the leadership team of the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for attending, and Rob Zeldenrust for organizing this meeting and making it possible.
Here are some photos from this special event:
Updated April 2, 2025 | 9:00 AM
The Michigan Agri-Business Association continues to receive various inquiries from our members about potential tariffs.
MABA is sharing regular updates as a service to our members and interested partners. This message primarily concerns potential tariffs on USMCA partners.
Current Update on Tariffs – August 1
Ahead of an August 1 deadline, the Administration made a number of announcements of interest to MABA members. These follow on several weeks that have been marked by the announcement of several key trade framework agreements (for example with the EU, Japan, etc.)
On July 31, an Executive Order from President Trump set higher import duty rates of 10% to 41% starting in seven days for around 70 nations. Some of these countries had reached tariff-reducing deals with the U.S. and others have not. The order includes an exemption for goods shipped during the next week. Goods from countries not listed in the order face a 10% rate.
We encourage members to note the 7-day implementation window as it means there’s still a window for negotiations before these tariffs enter into effect. We assess there is a reasonable potential that additional framework agreements, changes to the tariff rates and so forth could be announced.
Here is the July 31 order (lists tariff rates by country): https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/further-modifying-the-reciprocal-tariff-rates/
Here is one of many overview articles: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/31/trump-executive-order-higher-tariff-rates-00487913
Mexico
Mexico is a key nation of interest to Michigan, which exports substantial amounts of food and agricultural products there. President Trump announced this week that he and Mexican President Sheinbaum arrived at a 90-day extension to continue trade negotiations. “We have agreed to extend, for a 90-day period, the exact same deal as we had for the last short period of time, namely, that Mexico will continue to pay a 25% fentanyl tariff, 25% tariff on cars, and 50% tariff on steel, aluminum, and copper. Additionally, Mexico has agreed to immediately terminate its non-tariff trade barriers, of which there were many,” he wrote.
Canada
Canada is Michigan agriculture’s number-one trading partner and trade with Canada is a top priority for our industry. The Administration announced July 31 a 35% tariff, up from 25% on non-USMCA compliant goods. The USMCA exemption remains for both Canada and Mexico, which is highly important. We continue to hear from members about concerns surrounding trade with Canada. Elimination of the USMCA exemption and/or out-of-control escalation of tariffs between the U.S. and Canada would be highly concerning for Michigan agriculture.
MABA’s position on trade and tariffs:
Resources on Tariff Compliance
Amid tariff discussion in recent weeks, some MABA members have asked operational questions about compliance with tariffs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers several introductory resources on this topic which may prove useful in the future:
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