With Independence Day around the corner, summer is in full swing. For our MABA team, the past few weeks have been marked by several important developments in Lansing alongside a number of events led by your Association. We have all sorts of activities and events coming up! I encourage you to take a few minutes over the holiday and make a plan for your engagement with industry events in July, August and into the fall! Thank you for your support, participation and engagement. Legislative Update Throughout June, the Michigan Budget for FY2025 was the main topic lawmakers were focused on. This culminated with approval of budgets for the agencies of state government, and the education omnibus, on Thursday June 27. The Legislature passed an $82.5 billion state budget after a 19-hour session. A full report on the budget from the Detroit Free Press is here. The budget process is important to fund departments like the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and this year’s budget included a few items of note for MABA and Michigan agriculture. It continues the current approach to MAEAP delivery that’s led by conservation districts, while funding a study on the “funding and role” of the conservation districts. The budget continues to fund agricultural climate resiliency and soil health research through a program whose funding was widely supported by ag groups and MSU. The budget also includes a tax credit that will allow fuel retailers who sell E15 to claim a rebate of 5 cents per gallon of blended fuel sold. The budget summary is here; the MDARD budget is toward the top of this document. Reach out with questions. With the budget done and lawmakers returning to their districts, the campaign season rapidly kicks into gear. Educational Trust hosts Scholarship Golf Outing On June 18, more than 140 golfers joined together at the PohlCat Golf Course in Mt. Pleasant to raise money for the MABA Educational Trust! This special event was once again made possible by a wide range of volunteers, hole sponsors and silent auction contributors. You can see who all participated at this link. This important scholarship fund continues to help young people further their education and advance toward a career in Michigan Agriculture. Your participation helps keep our industry strong and growing! Learn more: https://miagbiz.org/resources/educational-trust MABA joins farm group leaders at Potato Day at the Capitol, Wheat Field Day; Updates members at NSAC and MMA meetinga In early June Michigan Potatoes hosted the 2024 Potato Day at the Capitol to spotlight the potato industry, which supports nearly 22,000 Michigan jobs and generates $2.5 billion in economic benefits for our state every year! We had an opportunity to stop by and support this opportunity to educate legislators about the industry. Thanks to Michigan’s potato industry leaders and Michigan Potato Industry Commission Executive Director Kelly Turner for taking time to share information about Michigan agriculture with state leaders. Learn more about potatoes’ contributions to Michigan’s economy at: https://report.mipotato.com/ In addition, MABA’s Summer Intern Karli Kreger represented our association at the 2024 Michigan Wheat Program Field Day on June 25. She also participated in the 2024 Intern Mixer hosted by the Michigan Soybean Association and Soybean Committee. We continue to appreciate the engagement and partnership of Michigan farm organizations! Agricultural Leaders of Michigan Legislative lunch Representatives of the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan hosted a lunch briefing for members of the Michigan Legislature and their staff, one of many ongoing efforts to build and maintain strong relationships at the Capitol. MABA president Chuck Lippstreu represented the association during this lunch. We provided a background briefing on MABA and its members, and discussed the importance of modern technology and innovation for agricultural production. Other members of the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan include the Michigan Pork Producers Association, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, and the Michigan Milk Producers Association, all of which provided briefings to lawmakers. Pictured below are Doug Chapin and Sheila Burkhardt, MMPA; Lippstreu; Mary Kelpinski, Michigan Pork; and Pete Lemmer, GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Chuck Lippstreu provides updates to members at MMA, NSAC Great Lakes meetings On June 13 and 14, Chuck hit the road to provide political and legislative updates to our members at two partnership meetings: The National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives Great Lakes Chapter, and the Michigan Millers Association. These organizations comprise dozens of MABA member companies in the wheat milling, grain handling and CPA/accounting segments. With a historic election on the horizon and a lot moving in Lansing that holds long-term implications for Michigan Agriculture, we appreciated the chance to provide these updates. We are always happy to join meetings around the state or provide video update messages if scheduling is not possible. Contact Chuck or Kara with questions. Upcoming Events July 23, 2024 Detroit Ag Club Breakfast @Eastern Market: Registration is open! August 13, 2024 Ag Club Breakfast in St. Johns @AgroExpo: Registration is open! September 5, 2024 Memorial Golf Outing: Registration is open! September 6-8, 2024 Outlook Conference: Registration is open! In The News Michigan’s ‘queen of ag’ is retiring (Bridge Michigan) Ag leaders underscore need for wage rate reform (Farm Progress)
