We’re headed into April and the busy spring planting season! Our team at MABA has been busy the past month with spring events, legislative engagement, conference planning and more.
Here are some highlights from March at the Michigan Agri-Business Association:
The Michigan Agri-Business Association encourages member companies, and everyone in Michigan agriculture, to communicate about the unique safety considerations around the solar eclipse happening next Monday, April 8. In addition to reminders being circulated widely in the media about the potential for eye damage from directly viewing the eclipse, other risks include the distractive nature of the event itself, and the temporary darkness associated with it.
The eclipse also takes place as the busy spring planting season ramps up, underscoring the need to be aware of unique safety considerations during this phenomenon.
Groups that make up Agricultural Leaders of Michigan (ALM) spoke out on National Ag Day, March 19, to spotlight skyrocketing labor costs facing farms and call on Congress to pass the Supporting Farm Operations Act (H.R. 7046).
The legislation, introduced by Congressman John Moolenaar, addresses high labor costs facing Michigan farmers by freezing the wage rate for migrant farm workers, known as the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), until the end of 2025.
Chuck Lippstreu, president of Michigan Agri-Business Association, said farmers’ success translates to success for other businesses on the food value chain, and approval of H.R. 7046 is important under the current circumstances.
“Agriculture remains a leading economic engine for Michigan, but the rapid increase in the AEWR threatens the viability of some farms in our state, especially labor-intensive fruit and vegetable operations,” Lippstreu said. “It’s critical that Congress pass the Supporting Farm Operations Act without delay, to provide growers with certainty going forward. This legislation will strengthen the broader agricultural economy in our state.”
Go here to read comments from other leading Michigan agricultural organizations.
MABA was pleased to welcome grain industry professionals to Lansing on Thursday, March 7 for the 2024 Grain Grading Seminar.
This year’s program was once again led by the expert trainers at North Dakota Grain Inspection (NDGI), who reviewed the overall federal grain inspection system and standards for properly evaluating corn, wheat and soybeans. The strong participation from across the industry demonstrates MABA members’ interest in applying standards in a uniform way – a benefit for all of Michigan agriculture!
We plan to continue hosting this annual event in March, and states across the upper Midwest host grain grading seminars throughout the year. Contact the MABA office if you are interested in learning about additional seminar opportunities.
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