Since the New Year, our team has enjoyed being in the heart of the ag winter meeting season. Following the MABA Winter Conference, we have been around the state to meet our members and allied organizations at their events. Meanwhile, we have remained in close touch with state leaders in Lansing as the state legislative session gets underway. Here are some highlights from the first part of 2025: Delivering resources and information on trade Trade and tariffs have been a top issue in early 2025, and MABA has been hard at work to provide timely updates and information to the industry. We continue to provide overall updates at this page on our website. We also continue interacting frequently with policymakers at all levels to underscore the importance of agricultural trade for the industry. We discussed this issue in depth in an interview with Michigan Radio’s Stateside, available here. Helping the agriculture industry navigate changes under the Earned Sick Time Act In recent weeks, advocating for legislative changes to major new requirements under the Earned Sick Time Act was a top priority for MABA and the broader business community. Partnering with a wide range of organizations, MABA served as a strong voice for rural business and agriculture during negotiations in Lansing. This included leading the way on a message to the Legislature signed by 15 Michigan agricultural organizations. Upon approval of compromise legislation that helped mitigate negative impacts on businesses, we have worked hard to get good information into the hands of MABA members eager to comply with the law. We appreciate the leadership of the Michigan Chamber on this effort; the Chamber has provided comprehensive resources on this topic, and we encourage members to learn more. MABA recognizes partners throughout Winter Meeting season Every winter, Michigan Agriculture comes together in different ways across Michigan to see friends, prepare for the year ahead, and advance our industry. It is a priority for MABA to do our best to join these meetings, conferences and events whenever possible to support our partners across the industry and learn what issues are important to them. From December to March: In December, after meeting in Grand Rapids at the offices of Varnum Law, members of the MABA Board attended the Great Lakes EXPO We attended the Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2024 State Annual Meeting We attended the Great Lakes Crop Summit, and joined MABA members for events held in concert with the Summit MABA President Chuck Lippstreu delivered remarks at the Michigan Wheat Program annual meeting Lippstreu delivered remarks at the 2025 Dry Bean Outlook, hosted by the Michigan Bean Commission and Michigan Bean Shippers We met with the Board of Directors of Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc. We met with the Board of Directors of the Michigan Pork Producers Association And in February, the Board of Directors of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Promotion Committee and Michigan Soybean Association held their Board meeting in concert with an Ag Club Breakfast Every year there are some events we are unable to attend due to schedule challenges, however we continue to encourage all MABA members to support Michigan agriculture throughout these important meetings! MABA Winter Conference draws 750+ to Lansing As always, we appreciated all those who joined us for the 2025 Winter Conference & Trade Show. This conference continued its year-over-year growth and was another big success. We are fielding suggestions, feedback and ideas to keep this conference going strong into 2026 and beyond! MABA members are encouraged to save the date for the 2026 Winter Conference, being held January 13-14, 2026 at the Lansing Center. MABA Leadership Group holds third session in Washington DC From February 2-5 the MABA Leadership Program group returned to Washington, DC for meetings with partners and policymakers. We would like to thank our national trade association partners for taking time to brief the group during this year’s trip. These organizations help ensure agriculture is at the table in Washington, DC every day, and their expertise is critical for our industry. Our group met with experts from The Fertilizer Institute, CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association, the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Grain & Feed Association. We also had the chance to hear from government affairs leaders for two member companies, Nutrien and CF Industries. Thank you again to these key partners. In the U.S. Senate, the group had opportunities to meet with Senator Elissa Slotkin and staff members for Senator Gary Peters. In the House, the group met with Representatives Jack Bergman, Hillary Scholten, Lisa McClain, Kristen McDonald Rivet, John Moolenaar, and Tim Walberg, and staff members for Reps. Bill Huizenga and Tom Barrett. We discussed trade, the Farm Bill, logistics needs, ag technology and other priority issues for Michigan agriculture. During this year’s visit, members of the Leadership Program also had an opportunity to place a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. This was a special opportunity to honor those lost in service to our Nation, as well as America’s veterans and all those currently serving. Two interns will join MABA for Summer 2025 Last month, we announced two interns will join the Association for summer 2025: Sara Dammann of New Lothrop, MI and Madyson “Maddy” Garza of Palms, MI. Both are undergraduate students at Michigan State University. MABA hosts 1-2 interns each year, providing opportunities for young leaders to learn about trade association management and advocacy. Learn more about our incoming 2025 interns at this link! MABA In the News: Michigan farmers and agricultural researchers navigate uncertainty (Michigan Public) Link A photo tour of the 2025 Michigan Wheat Program annual winter grower meeting (Farmers Advance) Link Michigan ag businesses want earned sick time updates (Brownfield Ag News) Link Fix Earned Sick Time Act, say Michigan food, farming, and rural business orgs (Michigan Farm News) Link Agricultural organizations urge lawmakers to pass sick time reform (9 & 10 News) Link Agronomy expert and crop scout Christie in the spotlight (Farm Progress) Link
