2014 is the fourth year of the
Green Agri-Business Designation Program for the Michigan Agri-Business
Association. It is an important program
for members to demonstrate how hard they work to help protect the environment
all year long. MABA awards the green agribusiness designation
annually to agricultural businesses that combine business excellence with a
commitment to protecting Michigan’s natural resources.
This year, as part of the program, the focus is on water
quality, and to bolster those efforts, MABA is encouraging all members to become
more familiar with the 4R program, the effort launched by The Fertilizer
Institute to guide the industry as we seek to promote more sustainable use of
fertilizer and crop nutrition materials.
For agronomy retailers to participate in the Green Designation Program
for 2014, MABA is requiring that they become partners in the 4R program. The Green Designation Program has grown from
36 companies in 2011, up to 77 companies in 2013. 2014 applications are due in July and MABA is
already on track for another successful year.
MABA is very proud of the program growth and will continue to practice, promote,
and recognize the agri-business companies that participate! For examples of
recommended practices, visit the MABA green pages.
Quote from Jim Byrum, MABA President
“The Michigan Agri-Business Association wants to recognize
the many agricultural businesses that are combining business excellence with a
commitment to keeping Michigan’s natural resources strong and healthy. Going green is a win-win for Michigan
businesses; it saves money and protects our valuable natural resources. These businesses are good for our industry
and good for Michigan’s future, and we applaud their efforts.”
Events for MABA’s 2014 Green Designation Program
Wednesday,
July 9th, 2014
Soaring Eagle Casino &
Resort
6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
This conference will focus on food safety, helping our
industry better understand how sustainability is or may impact their businesses
now and in the future. Breakout
sessions included in this conference will include a Fertilizer Institute
representative, Laura Kubitz, who will focus on TFI’s 4R efforts,
outreach, implementation, and research fund and Michigan Agri-Business Association representative, Kara Kyser,
who will explain and detail MABA’s green program and efforts. Producer and supplier agronomic perspectives
will also be present from some of the day’s speakers. Click
here to see the agenda.
- July
and August series of AgClub Breakfast meetings and tours
In July and August, MABA will sponsor four AgClub meetings which
will include tours and demonstrations of how facilities are using 4R principles
on a daily basis. These events will take
place across the state of Michigan with the goal of targeting regional media
markets and exposing legislators, media representatives, state agencies,
educational organizations and the Michigan ag industry to fertilizer best
management practices, demonstrations, water quality and networking. Below are the dates and locations of each
breakfast event. Each breakfast will
start at 9:00 AM with demonstration and tours starting at 10:00 AM.
July
25, 2014 – GreenValley Agricultural, Inc. 1250 146th Ave, Wayland, MI 49348
August
8th, 2014 – Crop Production Services Woodbury Farm
Center, 211 Milbourne Street, Lake Odessa, MI 48849
August
22nd, 2014 – Star of The West Milling Company Zwerk
& Sons Farms, 7647 W. Sanilac Rd., Vassar, MI 48768
August 29th, 2014
– Crop
Production Services 11200 East Highway US 223 Blissfield, MI 49228
- 2014 Green Agri-Business Awards Reception
An awards reception to honor the
2014 designated companies will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 in
downtown Lansing, Michigan at Troppo, 111 East Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI
48933. Registration will begin at 11:30
AM, luncheon reception at 12:00 PM, and awards presentation, media and
legislative engagement at 12:20 PM. One
company representative from each designated company is invited to be honored
with a plaque of recognition.
For more information, visit the MABA website at www.miagbiz.org
For
questions contact Kara Kyser at the MABA office by phone (517) 336-0223 or
email [email protected].
Michigan
Agri-Business Association
1501
North Shore Drive, Suite A
East
Lansing, MI 48823