March 28, 2008

LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Don Koivisto today announced Williamston resident Steve McGuire was recently selected for the 2007 Michigan Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) Honorary Membership Award. The prestigious award was presented to McGuire for his continued service and commitment to Michigan’s Certified Seed Program.

"Steve’s expertise, innovation, leadership, and commitment have made him one of the state’s premier agriculture leaders," Koivisto said. "We are extremely proud and honored to have him as part of our MDA team."

McGuire worked 21 years supervising certified seed analysts performing purity, germination, and other related tests prescribed in the Michigan Seed Law. He was an active member of Association of Official Seed Analysts, serving on many committees, the Executive Board and as Vice-President. He also worked closely with MCIA staff and members to insure that Michigan Certified Seed was labeled properly and met certification standards. Recently, McGuire was instrumental in developing an agreement for MCIA to use a MDA greenhouse for researching new dry bean varieties.

In 2003, McGuire was promoted to Director of Operations in MDA’s Laboratory Division. He oversees chemical and microbiological testing of food, beverages, animal specimens, economic poisons, feeds, fertilizers, motor fuel, seed, and other agriculture products.

Before joining MDA, McGuire was a seed analyst with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. He began his career with MDA as Seed Section Supervisor and has served as Michigan’s State Seed Analyst since 1982. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Ohio State University.

McGuire and his wife, Angela, live in Williamston and have three daughters and three grandchildren.