LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan AgriBusiness Assoc.(MABA) is everything that the name implies: it’s all about agricultural businesses in Michigan and advocating for their interests.

The not for profit started out its life in 1903 as the Michigan Grain Dealers Assoc., but during the course of its history the name and some of its mission changed. Today, MABA exists as a trade group for all kinds of agricultural businesses as well as other types of businesses with a strong connection to ag.

“Our members are farmers or members that work in the agricultural value chain,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of MABA. “We are a very broadbased agricultural organization in Michigan. We are working to make sure we have a very successful agricultural system in Michigan.”

MABA is also a registered lobbyist in the state, which means that Lippstreu talks with state legislators about agricultural business issues and advocates for them. The group describes itself as a voice for its members before policymakers at all levels, advocating for its members before the state legislature, departments of state government, as well as the federal congress and federal departments.

MABA members, which total about 400, include grain handlers, seed and fertilizer dealers, farmers, food processors, pesticide makers and even logistics companies, including truckers. Lippstreu said the past year has seen a record amount of change in Michigan, much of it due to the covid-19 pandemic. “People have done a lot to change and adapt to external changes,” he stated. “We’ve had to change to stay in business and keep people safe.” Lippstreu added he is an optimist by nature and believes that more vaccines to prevent covid will come out as the year moves along.

And Lippstreu is thinking beyond covid to other issues, especially infrastructure related problems in the state. These include railroad infrastructure, roads, bridges in rural areas and broadband connectivity in the rural parts of the state. Some of these problems include railroad tracks that need upgrading in some areas, to the extent that trains using them must go 10-15 miles per hour in order to be safe; small local bridges that can’t be used, forcing drivers to sometimes go many miles out of their way; and places in the state where there is no reliable internet connectivity.

Lippstreu said that MABA’s number one job is to communicate with its members what is going on the state and to “make sure our members have a voice in both Lansing and Washington, D.C.” In addition to its core task of communications and advocacy, MABA also offers training and educational programs throughout the year and produces a biweekly newsletter. To find out more about MABA, send an email to maba@miagbiz.org. Also, visit the website at https://miagbiz.org.