This month, MABA continued our focus on outreach to policy leaders in Lansing and Washington. This month was designated Food and Ag Month in Michigan – and the nation celebrated National Ag Day on March 21 – so we took that opportunity to share more about the Michigan industry. As with many agricultural organizations, the fall and winter months make up the core of our meeting season, and this month MABA wrapped up our final “big” training event of the winter while beginning our planning for the upcoming Outlook Conference and next year’s Winter Conference. Here’s more from March 2023! 2023 Grain Grading Seminar focuses on best practices for evaluating ag products Uniform applicability of federal grain standards is important for the entire industry, and periodic training can help those starting out while serving as a good refresher for industry veterans. To support our grain and feed businesses, MABA joined North Dakota Grain Inspection (NDGI) to conduct our 2023 Grain Grading Seminar at the AgroLiquid conference center in St. Johns, MI. NDGI went over best practices for evaluating corn, soybeans and wheat, and they did an excellent job! We were glad to have nearly 75 participants in this year’s grading seminar and plan to bring the program back next year. GreenStone Farm Credit Services, MABA welcome new legislators at March Ag Club Breakfast On March 9th MABA held our second Lansing Ag Club Breakfast, partnering with GreenStone Farm Credit Services at the event. We welcomed several new and returning legislators, department leaders and federal agency representatives, MABA board Member Nichole Wilcox from GreenStone provided an overview of the farm credit cooperative, and discussed their record patronage announced for 2023. Spotlighting Michigan Agriculture on National Ag Day In advance of National Ag Day, the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan organization cohosted a media conference on Monday, March 20 providing an overall industry update. You can read our remarks here. We joined Joe Diglio, President and CEO of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Pork Producers Association CEO Mary Kelpinski and Travis Jones, President and CEO of Greenstone Farm Credit Services. Some media stories from the conference appear below. Partnering with RISE to grow industry advocacy With nearly 60 new legislators in Lansing, education and advocacy on our industry will be important! This month, MABA partnered with Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) experts to host a roundtable discussion on the importance of crop protection technology and how to communicate in support of it. The training focused on key state and federal legislation, and how our industry can help leaders learn more about the importance of ag chemistry. Thanks to Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Inc. for hosting the discussion. You can learn more about RISE at www.debugthemyths.org. ALM meets with Members of Congress at Michigan Ag Club in Washington, DC Groups that make up the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan met on March 29 with Michigan’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to discuss the state’s growing agriculture sector and related priorities and opportunities. The Ag Club Breakfast marked the return of an annual event after a hiatus of a few years due to the pandemic. We were joined by Senator Debbie Stabenow; Congressman Jack Bergman; Congressman Dan Kildee; Congresswoman Lisa McClain; Congressman John Moolenaar; Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. House Republican Leader Matt Hall tours MABA member businesses We appreciate House Republican Leader, State Representative Matt Hall for joining us on March 27 to tour local agribusinesses in his district. Rep. Hall visited Knappen Milling Co. in Augusta and Co-Alliance in Schoolcraft, learning about the wheat milling and agronomy sectors, and recognizing food and ag month. Thank you to Rep. Hall for your time and your focus on Michigan agriculture! Since January, MABA has now conducted more than 30 legislative meetings with leaders from both parties, including almost all of the members of our House and Senate committees handling agricultural issues. In case you missed it: Stewardship Newsletter, March 2023: Soil Testing, An Important Step to Maximize ROI and Support Environmental Stewardship. MABA President Chuck Lippstreu and Michigan Ag Leaders Discuss Industry Needs on National Ag Day MABA joins WILS in Lansing to talk #AgDay2023 and Michigan agriculture. Beagle Brigade: Michigan farmers back paw patrols that sniff out illegal foods Michigan ag leaders spotlight on-the-job safety during Stand Up for Grain Safety Week MABA and other Michigan Ag Organizations spoke out in support of Rep. Dan Kildee’s Bill to Lower Gas Prices And Boost American Energy Independence
