As a service to our members who support and advance the Michigan Agri-Business Association, we provide monthly summaries of highlights from your association’s work. This is not an all-inclusive update. If you have specific questions, please contact Chuck or Kara from the MABA staff. April was a busy and productive month for MABA, with our team active across Michigan and engaged on major policy developments at both the state and federal level. We wanted to provide a short update to MABA members and interested partners: Visit by USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce to Star of the West Milling Company: Early in the month, on April 7, we had the opportunity to join a USDA roundtable discussion in Frankenmuth, where Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce was visiting Michigan to hear from agricultural stakeholders. Several MABA members participated in those conversations, and we appreciated the Under Secretary’s time and engagement with Michigan’s industry. Grain Grading Seminars Return: On April 9 and 14, MABA once again hosted grain evaluation seminars. These grain grading sessions trained more than 40 new MABA member company employees on grain grading best practices, which helps ensure world-class service for Michigan farmers. Over the past three years, MABA has brought this training to more than 200 industry employees. We extend our thanks to the North Dakota Grain Inspection staff for their excellent work leading this training for Michigan grain industry professionals. Secretary Brooke Rollins and Congressman Tom Barrett Visit MSU: On April 13, Michigan’s agricultural industry was in the spotlight as U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Congressman Tom Barrett visited the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center and participated in a roundtable with industry leaders. MABA President Chuck Lippstreu represented the association at the discussion, joining MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross, Michigan farmers, and others. MABA Board Member John Tilt also attended on behalf of the association. We encourage members to read our full update on the Secretary’s visit. Michigan Dairy in the Spotlight: In mid-April, MABA President Chuck Lippstreu was quoted in Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, alongside key MABA members MMPA and Chobani, spotlighting Michigan’s strengths as a destination for dairy investment. “Michigan is a long-time dairy state (with) an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise that gives dairy manufacturers confidence in a high-quality product,” said Lippstreu, noting the infrastructure exists to support multi-generational dairy farms, making the state “a favorable place for investment.” Go here to read the full story. Michigan Leaders Named to CFTC Agricultural Advisory Committee: On April 15, we spotlighted the relaunch of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Agricultural Advisory Committee. Two Michigan leaders, Chris Betz of Michigan Agricultural Commodities and corn grower Matt Frostic, First Vice President of the National Corn Growers Association, were named to the committee. We joined Michigan Corn in getting the word out on this. Read our full statement here. Ag Club Breakfast in Hart, Michigan: On April 17, we were delighted to head to Hart in Oceana County — the asparagus capital of the world — for our MABA Ag Club Breakfast, co-hosted with Michigan Asparagus at the West Michigan Research Station. We appreciated the growers and MABA member company employees who joined us and helped spotlight West Michigan’s thriving specialty crop industry. We will continue bringing these events to agricultural communities across the state. Read more here. Recognizing Michigan’s Certified Crop Advisers: Throughout April, MABA coordinated new recognition of Michigan’s Certified Crop Advisers in the Michigan Farm News, accompanied by digital advertising, part of our ongoing effort to highlight the skills, commitment, and contributions of Michigan’s CCAs. Thank you, Michigan CCA’s for your efforts, and more is to come! House Agriculture Committee Spotlights Michigan Dry Beans: As an excellent close to the month, we appreciated the House Agriculture Committee and Chairman Jerry Neyer for spotlighting Michigan’s dry bean industry, featuring a presentation by Michigan Bean Commission Executive Director Joe Cramer. MABA represents many dry bean exporters and agribusinesses, and we deeply value our partnership with the state’s 1,100-plus dry bean growers, so we were glad to attend the hearing in support of Michigan Beans. Thank you to Joe Cramer and to Committee Chairman Jerry Neyer for making this happen. Learn more here from the Michigan Bean Commission. U.S. House Passes Farm Bill: On April 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Farm Bill, a significant milestone. This past month, MABA joined more than 330 other organizations in a letter encouraging House approval, coordinated closely with national agricultural groups throughout the process, and worked to advance pro-modern agriculture policy at every step. We will continue our engagement as this legislation moves forward. We are grateful for your continued support and remain committed to earning it every day. You can reach MABA President Chuck Lippstreu at chuck@miagbiz.org.
