• provide oversight and executive direction for the programs of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and,
• approve the rules and regulations the department promulgates. 

State law dictates that no more than three Commission members may be from the same political party. The Commission meets once a month and meetings are open to the public. Citizens and organizations wishing to observe or discuss matters under the Commission's jurisdiction are encouraged to attend.

Contact Information:

Michigan Commission
of Agriculture & Rural Development
P.O.Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909

517-335-3402 (Voice)
517-373-1104 (TTY)

mda-ag-commission@michigan.gov 

Chair, Velmar Green, Elsie, Michigan

Velmar Green was appointed to the commission on July 20, 2009, by Governor Jennifer Granholm and became chair on Feburary 15, 2012.

Mr. Green is the President of Green Meadow Farms, Inc., a family farm near Elsie.  Green Meadow Farms is known world wide for its breeding of Holstein dairy cattle.  The farm was one of the first to be environmentally verified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture under the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program.  Green Meadow has recently constructed an anaerobic digester to generate electricity.  The farm is also the home of Michigan State University Training Center for Dairy Professionals.  To learn more go to greenmeadowfarms.com.

Green and his wife Margaret have a son Craig and a daughter Margery who both are active in the farming operation.  His term expires December 31, 2012.

Contact information:
8839 Mead Road
Elsie, MI 48831
989-862-4291 (Office)
989-862-4292 (Fax)
989-862-5020 (Home)
e-mail: VGGMF@aol.com

Vice Chair, Bob Kennedy, St. Charles, Michigan

Bob Kennedy was appointed to the commission on January 11, 2011, by Governor Rick Snyder and became vice chair on February 15, 2012.

Kennedy is Vice President of Operations for Auburn Bean and Grain, which is a family owned company that services farmers in Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Gratiot, Shiawassee, Clinton, and surrounding counties handling all grain commodities and agronomy services, as well as products needed for crop production.  With annual sales of $170 million, Auburn Bean and Grain employs 70 people full-time and has five locations.

Kennedy is a past board member and Chair of the Michigan Agri-business Association and has been employed in agri-business for the last 24 years.

Kennedy owns and lives on a small farm in Saginaw County with his wife and two children, and is an active hunter and fisherman.  His term expires December 31, 2014.

Contact Information:
Bob Kennedy
7710 S. Chapin Road
St. Charles, Michigan 48655
989-643-5597 (Home)
989-662-4423 (Office)
989-662-2425 (Office Fax)
e-mail: bkennedy@abgco.net

Secretary, Diane Hanson, Cornell, Michigan

Diane Hanson was appointed to the commission on January 11, 2011, by Governor Rick Snyder and became secretary on February 15, 2012.

Hanson is a third generation owner and operator of Hanson Seed Farm with her husband Dennis and two sons, Scott and Ted. They raise over 250 acres of seed potatoes, along with small grains, hay, and beef cattle. The farm is known state and nation- wide for seed production.

She is active in local, state, and national agricultural groups. She was appointed to the U.S. Potato Board in 2010, serves on the FSA committee and the Hiawathaland Farm Bureau as a director and past president, is a member of the Upper Peninsula Potato Growers, the Michigan Potato Industry, and the Potato Growers of Michigan. She coordinates the setup of commodities, farm history and present day farming practices at the Miracle of Life display, which runs during the Upper Peninsula State Fair. She also organizes a farm tour for local, state, and federally elected officials to help educate them on farming in the UP.

She resides in Cornell, Michigan, with her husband Dennis, they have 6 children and 13 grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, along with taking care of her grandchildren, helping others, and appreciating the good life that she has. Her term term expires 12/31/2014.

Contact Information:
3595 26th Road
Cornell, MI 4818
906-384-6301 (Office Line 1)
906-384-6908 (Office Line 2)
906-384-6908 (Home)
e-mail: hansfarm@up.net 

Member, Donald Coe, Traverse City, Michigan 

Donald Coe was appointed to the Commission in February 2006 by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Mr. Coe graduated from Cornell University and has extensive experience in international trade issues for wines and spirits. He is active in local economic development boards and industry and agricultural groups. He is the managing partner of Black Star Farms, an agricultural destination that includes a winery, distillery, bed and breakfast, creamery (Leelanau Cheese Company), orchards and vineyards, and horse stables. Black Star Farms is the 100th certified Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) farm in Michigan and has won numerous awards and recognition for their products.

He resides in Traverse City, Michigan with his wife Marylou. His term expires December 31, 2013

Contact information:
211 Midtown Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-995-0672 (Home)
231-944-1294 (Farm)
231-944-1299 (Fax)
e-mail: dcoe@blackstarfarms.com

Member, Trever Meachum, Hartford, Michigan

Trever Meachum was appointed to the commission on January 9, 2012, by Governor Rick Snyder. 

Meachum is the production manager for High Acres Fruit Farm, a 3000 acres fruit, vegetable and cash crop farm in Van Buren County.  He farms with his parents and two brothers.  He also serves as the secretary of the Hartford Township Planning Commission and board clerk for the Hartford Federated Church.  He is chairman of the Michigan Apple Research Committee and finance chair of the International Fruit Tree Association.  He is a member of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Association (MACMA) Board of Directors and MACMA Apple Committee.

His term expires Dec. 31, 2015.

Contact Information:
Trever Meachum
60930 52nd Ave.,
Hartford, MI 49057
269-621-4713 (Home)
269-621-4360 (Office)
e-mail: jalapeno@cyersol.com

For more information about the Commission of Agriculture & Rural Development: 

517-335-3402
mda-ag-commission@michigan.gov