1. Updated Box Tree Moth Quarantine and Compliance Agreement
On May 8, 2025, MSU Extension and the Michigan Department of Agriculture wrote an article providing an overview on updates to the Box Tree Moth Quarantine and Compliance Agreement. These updates include adding Lapeer County to the Quarantine and allowing businesses seven days longer to apply insecticide treatments to comply with Michigan’s Box Tree Moth interior quarantine. Read the full article here: Updated Box Tree Moth Quarantine and Compliance Agreement
2. Updated Balsam Woolly Adelgid Exterior Quarantine
June 3, 2025 – From the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD): Michigan’s Balsam Woolly Adelgid Exterior Quarantine was recently updated. No substantive policy changes made; the revisions were administrative in nature to enhance communication and accountability. The update clarifies responsibilities—the shipper is responsible for notifying MDARD of any shipment of regulated articles (fir; Abies spp.) into Michigan from an out-of-state source. As it was previously written, this was unclear whether it was the shipper's or the receiver’s responsibility. Additionally, it includes updated contact information. Click HERE to see the updated Balsam Woolly Adelgid Quarantine.
3. Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA): Deadline for Small Businesses* is Approaching
*Under the Earned Sick Time Act an employer is considered a "small business” if it employs 10 or fewer employees. This includes full-time, part-time, and temporary employees including those provided through a temporary service or staffing agency or similar entity.
Please note that there is an important deadline approaching for all “small businesses” to implement and comply with Michigan’s new Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and minimum wage laws. By October 1, 2025, all small businesses must also be in compliance (large employers had to be in compliance beginning February 21, 2025). Please click HERE to go to Michigan’s Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Wage and Hour Division website dedicated to the ESTA. On this site you will find:
- A webinar recording explaining the ESTA
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – in English, Spanish, and Arabic
- Posting Requirements – ESTA required posters in English, Spanish, and Arabic
- A brochure providing an Overview of the ESTA
MNLA has established a relationship with the Wage and Hour Office and have been able to get answers to questions that are specific to our industry. If you have questions that you aren’t able to find answers to on their website, please contact Amy Upton at Amy@mnla.org.
4. On the Federal Level: H-2A Wage Freeze - Huizenga Leads 100+ Members of Congress in Bipartisan Effort to Save Family Farms, Enact H-2A Wage Freeze
May 29, 2025, Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced he was joined by over 100 of his colleagues on a letter recently sent to House Appropriations leaders requesting an H-2A Visa guestworker wage freeze in upcoming appropriations legislation. This simple policy fix would lower input costs for the agricultural community and save family farms across the nation. The level of support for freezing the H-2A wage rate is significant because it is bipartisan and represents the majority of the House Republican Conference (111). Last Congress, Huizenga led the charge to help family farms and achieved a policy win in legislation that passed the House Appropriations Committee. Read More...
5. Michigan Invasive Species Program – Landscape Material & Firewood Survey
The Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development are working to stand up a voluntary invasive-free certification program for gravel/fill, mulch, compost, and firewood. Toward that end, King Media has been contracted to develop, conduct, and analyze social surveys of producers and consumers of these products.
These surveys explore current practices and awareness, especially around the potential spread of invasive species through these materials, and will be used to build a program that is in line with the needs and limitations of the industry and consumers.
Your feedback will help shape future efforts to protect Michigan’s forests, parks, and natural areas.
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete. We appreciate your time and insights.