4-10-2024

MABA announces launch of new Member Portal to bolster services

April 10, 2024 | Beginning this week, visitors to the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) website can view a new Member Portal available on the site. It’s the latest improvement the association has announced in 2023 and 2024 to grow its member services and outreach efforts.

The portal delivers several new services and improvements for members, including the ability to:

  • Access past editions of the AgFacts newsletter, a members-only service.
  • Update individuals’ information on file with the Association.
  • Access certain members-only policy updates, briefings and webinars.
  • Edit company information used in the MABA Member Directory; this is available to designated staff members.
  • View, download and pay invoices online by credit card and ACH, continuing a key new service announced in fall 2023; this is available to designated staff members.

To access the portal:

  • Visit www.miagbiz.org
  • Select Member Login in the upper right corner of the page, or in the drop-down menu on mobile.
  • On your first visit, select the password reset link on the login page.
  • Enter your email address on file with MABA. In most cases this is the email at which you receive the AgFacts and/or communicate with us.
  • If you have any trouble, contact Chuck or Kara of the MABA staff.

Launch of the portal follows several additional efforts by MABA to ensure world-class member services. This included the launch of online invoicing in Fall 2023, and the launch of a totally redesigned and improved website in Winter 2024.

4-5-2024

Member Update: Spring events, legislative engagement, planning throughout March

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:

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4-2-2024

MABA issues industry reminder about work site safety during solar eclipse

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.

Here are some reminders related to the April 8 solar eclipse:

  • Consider what tasks will be underway during the eclipse window, which for many will be in the 2:15-3:30 range, with the main impacts being fairly brief. Remember that outdoor job sites will be in a lower light/temporary darkness environment during this time. Employees should be reminded to remain focused on safety protocols on the job site; safe viewing of the eclipse should take place well outside active job sites.

  • Be aware of the health risks that come with looking at the sun, including during an eclipse. An eclipse must only be viewed through specialized viewers. Even many welding masks and other dark lenses are not designed to protect the eyes from direct viewing of the sun. Do not view the eclipse through any lens not designed for it! See this link for more.

  • Be careful traveling the roads. Substantial “eclipse traffic” is expected across certain areas of the country, including Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Areas in Southeast Michigan that are near the “path of totality” for the eclipse may experience congestion on roads and highways, and movement delays as anticipated crowds gather to watch this event. These delays could even impact rural roads and highways in some regions.

  • Drivers elsewhere may also be distracted by the eclipse (for example, if they attempt to photograph or video it while driving), making roadway awareness especially important during this time.

Overall, this unique event calls for everyone to be vigilant during the period of the eclipse next Monday afternoon. A little communication ahead of time will go a long way. For more information about safe eclipse viewing, go here. If you have questions, contact the MABA office.

3-19-2024

MABA, Michigan ag groups support Moolenaar proposal to freeze AEWR

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.