Michigan Agri-Business Association

What Michigan Agri-Business Association does

The Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1903 and headquartered at 2500 Kerry St., Ste 102 in Lansing, Michigan. It represents nearly 300 member businesses spanning Michigan's agricultural value chain, including ag retailers that supply seed, fertilizer, crop protection and technology to farmers; grain and feed handling and export businesses; animal feed suppliers; food processors; and agricultural logistics companies. MABA's named member roster includes major global and regional operators such as Bayer, BASF, Syngenta, Nutrien Ag Solutions, The Andersons, Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Star of the West Milling, Cooperative Elevator, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, and King Milling Company.

The association's core services are membership, advocacy, events, and education. Membership provides access to networking, advocacy representation, and communications including the twice-weekly AgFacts newsletter and an annual print directory. MABA conducts policy advocacy before the Michigan Legislature, state departments, Congress, and the federal administration, and has recently engaged on Regulation 641 (fertilizer bulk storage), FIFRA-related pesticide regulation, FAA drone rules, and federal trade policy via the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance coalition. Events include the Outlook Conference (27th year, held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island), Winter Conference in Lansing, near-monthly Ag Club Breakfasts across the state, and Educational Trust golf outings. Educational offerings include the four-session Agri-Business Leadership Program, the Educational Trust scholarship program (established 1974, over 180 scholarships awarded 2020-2026), and partnership on the Certified Crop Adviser program with the American Society of Agronomy.

MABA operates with a small staff of approximately 6 employees led by President Chuck Lippstreu (since January 2020) and Member Services Director Kara Boring, governed by a member-elected Board of Directors chaired for 2026 by Greg Thon of GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Revenue is generated primarily through tiered membership dues ($675 for under $2M annual gross sales up to $4,500 for over $50M), supplemented by sustaining sponsorships, event registrations, and Educational Trust fundraising. The organization is not a technology company, has no proprietary software products or AI capabilities, and has no parent company, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds.

Name

Michigan Agri-Business Association

Legal name

Michigan Agri-Business Association

Website

https://miagbiz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Michigan Agri-Business Association is a non-profit trade association founded in 1903 representing nearly 300 member businesses across Michigan's agricultural value chain. It delivers policy advocacy, networking events, professional development, scholarships, and member communications to ag retailers, grain handlers, feed suppliers, food processors, and logistics firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Trade Association Services

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (55111), Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Supply Chain, Marketing & Contracting Advisory (Grain/Livestock Marketing) (AFACAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)

Keywords

• Agricultural trade association
• Membership association services
• Agriculture policy advocacy
• Industry networking events
• Professional certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The primary revenue stream is membership dues calculated based on total annual gross sales. Under $2M: $675; $2M-$5M: $1,125; $5M-$15M: $1,350; $15M-$25M: $1,900; $25M-$35M: $3,150; $35M-$50M: $3,950; Over $50M: $4,500. Additional revenue comes from sustaining sponsorships, event registrations, and educational trust fundraising events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Michigan Agri-Business Association is a non-profit trade association that provides membership services to nearly 300 businesses across the Michigan agricultural value chain. Its core offerings are tiered annual membership, policy advocacy before state and federal government bodies, networking events (Outlook Conference, Winter Conference, Ag Club Breakfasts), professional development through the Agri-Business Leadership Program and Certified Crop Adviser Program, and educational initiatives including the Educational Trust scholarship program.

Product overview

The Michigan Agri-Business Association is a non-profit trade association serving as an advocate and resource for Michigan agriculture. Rather than a technology product company, MABA offers a portfolio of membership services including networking events (Ag Club Breakfasts, Outlook Conference, Winter Conference, golf outings), professional development programs (Agri-Business Leadership Program), educational initiatives (Educational Trust scholarships, Certified Crop Adviser Program), communications (AgFacts newsletter, Stewardship newsletters), and policy advocacy services. The association represents nearly 300 member businesses spanning the agricultural value chain including retailers, grain handlers, animal feed suppliers, food processors, and logistics companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MABA Membership Tiered annual membership open to any business active in Michigan agriculture, providing access to networking events, the AgFacts newsletter, advocacy representation, legislative updates, and listings in the annual member directory. Annual dues range from $675 (under $2M gross sales) to $4,500 (over $50M gross sales).
• MABA Outlook Conference Annual multi-day conference held in September on Mackinac Island bringing together agricultural leaders, policymakers, and industry experts for education and networking.
• MABA Winter Conference Annual January conference and trade show held in Lansing, Michigan, bringing together MABA member company employees and partners.
• MABA Ag Club Breakfast Events Near-monthly breakfast events held across Michigan featuring industry speakers and networking for MABA members and partners.
• Agri-Business Leadership Program Annual four-session professional development program for emerging leaders in Michigan agribusiness, providing personal growth and professional development through policy, advocacy, and networking experiences, including visits to Washington, D.C. partner organizations.
• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program Certification program delivered in partnership with the American Society of Agronomy providing testing, continuing education, and professional development for professional agronomists (CCAs) in Michigan.
• MABA Educational Trust Scholarship Program Scholarship program established in 1974 supporting students pursuing careers in agriculture-related fields, funded through golf outings, fundraising events, and donations; over $500,000 awarded since inception and over 180 scholarships from 2020 to 2026.
• Educational Trust Golf Outings Annual scholarship golf events, including the June Scholarship Golf Outing and the September Memorial Golf Outing at The Fields in Ithaca, Michigan, that raise funds for the Educational Trust.
• Issues and Advocacy Services Policy advocacy and representation on behalf of Michigan agribusiness members before the Michigan Legislature, state departments, Congress, and the federal administration on issues affecting the agricultural industry.
• AgFacts Newsletter

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 1974, over $500,000 awarded in scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (MISTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026MABA joined the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance coalition to promote smart and consistent international trade policies. Michigan agriculture exports nearly $3 billion worth of agricultural and food products annually, with Canada accounting for approximately 43% of that value and another 16% headed to Mexico. The coalition includes nearly a dozen statewide organizations calling on Congress to enact smart, predictable trade policies.
• CropLife AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA leadership program participants visit CropLife America headquarters in Washington, DC. CropLife America is a key national partner for pesticide regulation and agricultural science advocacy.
• Agricultural Retailers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA leadership program includes visits to Agricultural Retailers Association headquarters in Washington, DC. ARA represents agricultural retailers on policy issues.
• The Fertilizer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA partners with The Fertilizer Institute for advocacy and education on fertilizer issues. MABA staff and members participate in briefings with TFI in Washington, DC.
• Michigan State Millers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA co-hosted a joint board meeting with the Michigan State Millers Association in Holland. The wheat and milling industry is critical for Michigan's agricultural economy.
• Michigan Soil Health Task ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA presented to the Michigan Soil Health Task Force convened by MDARD, emphasizing the critical role professional agronomists play in advancing soil health. MABA advocated for the creation of this task force.
• King Milling CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing Milling Company hosted MABA Leadership Program session in Grand Rapids area, including facility tours. The company is undergoing expansion.
• Michigan State University (MSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA maintains a key partnership with MSU for agricultural research and innovation. Supports programs such as MAAA and Project GREEEN. MABA presents to MSU and participates in joint meetings.
• Michigan Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA President Chuck Lippstreu serves on the Michigan CCA Board of Directors. The program recognizes professional agronomists across Michigan's agricultural industry.
• Ontario Agri Business AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABA President Chuck Lippstreu spoke at the Ontario Agri Business Association Summer Conference, emphasizing the critical importance of U.S.-Canada agricultural trade relationship.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Fertilizer Institute: National trade association for the fertilizer industry. MABA partners with TFI for advocacy and education on fertilizer issues, with joint DC briefings. National-level broader incumbent in the fertilizer value chain MABA members serve.
• Agricultural Retailers Association: National trade association for agricultural retailers. MABA's leadership program partners with ARA for DC visits. ARA is a broader incumbent operating at the federal level that complements MABA's state-level work.
• CropLife America: National trade association representing crop protection and agricultural science companies. MABA leadership program partners visit CropLife America in DC; it is the national-level incumbent for pesticide regulation advocacy.
• National Grain and Feed Association: National trade association for grain handlers, processors, and feed manufacturers. Comparable to the grain/feed half of MABA's membership at national scale — a broader incumbent MABA members often also belong to.

Regional players

• Michigan Farm Bureau: Michigan's largest general agricultural membership organization representing farmers (rather than agribusinesses). Adjacent peer operating in the same geography with overlapping but distinct membership — ag producers versus ag businesses.
• Ontario Agri Business Association: Canadian provincial agribusiness association representing crop input retailers, grain handlers, and feed suppliers in Ontario. MABA President has spoken at its summer conference; functionally parallel organization across the border, making it a clear regional peer.

Direct peers

• Ohio AgriBusiness Association: Ohio-based state agribusiness association serving ag retailers, grain and feed businesses, and crop advisors. Closest peer in terms of membership composition (ag retail, grain, CCA programs) and service mix (advocacy, events, scholarships).
• Iowa Agribusiness Association: Iowa state agribusiness trade association representing ag retailers, agronomists, and grain/feed handlers. Comparable in mission and member composition, serving the dominant row-crop state adjacent to Michigan's ag ecosystem.
• Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association: Illinois state association focused on fertilizer and crop protection retailers, overlapping heavily with MABA's ag retail membership. Comparable advocacy, regulatory engagement, and CCA-adjacent programming.
• Wisconsin Agri-Business Association: State-level agribusiness association in Wisconsin with nearly identical mandate to MABA — representing ag retailers, grain handlers, and feed suppliers with advocacy, education, and events. Direct functional mirror in an adjacent Midwestern state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/michagbiz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michagbiz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Michigan Agri-Business Association