• Agriculturally Speaking... Michigan Fairs - Great Fun, Great Times
Since becoming Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture nearly one year ago, I have been sharing the amazing economic impact agriculture has on our state, and the importance of purchasing Michigan products. With agriculture as Michigan's second largest industry - we have a lot to celebrate ? and there is no better place to do that than at Michigan's fairs.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Michigan's Horse Racing Tradition Continues
If you haven't experienced the thrill of watching a speeding horse cross the finish line, now is the perfect time to check out one of the state's family entertainment treasures. Throughout the month of June, we will be celebrating Michigan Horse Racing Month and all of the wonderful things it encompasses. Additionally, we are commemorating the 75th anniversary of pari-mutuel horse racing in Michigan.
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• The Michigan Food Stamp Challenge
What has your experience been like on the Food Stamp Challenge? Share your experiences, your feelings and your tips for success here with others who are also living on just $3 a day for food.
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• Justine asks:
Have you ever taken an online or virtual class? The State of Michigan has a Michigan Virtual University for K-12 education and many Michigan colleges and universities offer online classes. Do you think this makes education more accessible for you? Do you enjoy taking classes like this?
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• Tye asks
The cost of gas has been on the rise. Do you think more people should buy alternative fuel vehicles? The state Energy Office and U.S. Department of Energy often offer grants to encourage colleges and universities to research alternative energy options. Researchers have even investigated the use of used restaurant fryer oils to convert into fuels. Do you think more should be done to encourage research? Would you be interested in studying alternative fuels?
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• Tye asks
Have you ever entered a science fair? What kind of project did you do? There's a link on the manufacturing website for some examples of "Super Science Fair Projects"  http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com/ ideas.

• Agriculturally Speaking... Grilling Tips for Summertime Fun with Food Safety
As temperatures climb announcing the arrival of summer, our thoughts wander to the familiar smell of a burger sizzling on an outdoor grill, a salad filled with garden fresh veggies, and slices of red, juicy watermelon. Before delving into all the tasty, Michigan-made dishes, I want to remind you to follow some basic food safety rules listed below to keep your family healthy this summer.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Being Smart In Growing Biofuels
As a leader in the development of renewable fuels, Michigan is dedicated to growing biofuels in a smart, calculated way. This is critical to helping biofuels live up to their reputation to expand the state's agri-business sector, break our reliance on foreign oil, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change while simultaneously strengthening the auto industry.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... International Marketing Program
The Michigan Department of Agriculture's (MDA) International Marketing Program does more than just sell Michigan-grown products overseas. The program helps expand Michigan's agriculture economic impact with exports generating $1.1 billion in 2006. According to USDA's Economic Research Service, there were 13,800 agricultural export-related jobs in Michigan in 2006, that's up 1,000 jobs from just a few years ago. These figures are positive proof that agricultural exports help to grow the state's second largest economic sector.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Agricultural Products Programs
The Michigan Department of Agriculture's (MDA) top priority is ensuring the safety of the state's food supply from farm to fork. A key component of this priority is the agricultural product programs, especially at the farm input level.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Celebrating Michigan Wines
It's an exciting time for Michigan's wine and grape industries, which contribute nearly $790 million to the state's economy annually. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm declared April as "Michigan Wine Month" to honor the state's wide selection of award winning wines and the industry's significant economic contributions. If you haven't visited one of Michigan's 60 wineries and tasting rooms, spring is the perfect time of year to witness the transformation occurring in this growing industry. Tasting rooms are less busy and staff are delighted to have the opportunity to provide extra attention to v ...
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• Agriculturally Speaking... On-Farm Security: Be Aware, Be Prepared
Farmers play a critical role in protecting the state's food and agriculture system. As one of Michigan's fastest growing economic sectors, the state's 55,000 farmers must overcome wide-ranging and complex challenges to produce Michigan's 200+ diverse commodities, including; potential agricultural threats like avian influenza, soybean rust, intentional contamination, theft of the fertilizer anhydrous ammonia and safe handling of its intended use.
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• Agriculturally Speaking...  Promoting Renewable Energy and Conservation Initiatives
Michigan farmers and landowners are incorporating sound conservation practices into their daily farm management and bringing revenue into Michigan through their environmental practices. From growing corn, soybeans, and other crops for renewable fuels to turning livestock manure and other items into methane gas, our state is looking to set ambitious alternative energy goals - produce 10 percent of our electrical energy from renewable sources by the year 2015 and a full 25 percent by the year 2025. These goals would not be obtainable without the continued efforts of Michigan’s food and ...
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
Regarded as stewards of the land, Michigan farmers are intensely involved with one of the state's pioneering environmental initiatives - the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). MAEAP is a voluntary program for farmers encouraging effective land stewardship and works toward compliance with environmental regulations.
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• Everybody's Got One
Did you know every MDIT Client Services director has at least one "wave one" SUITE application or project using the SUITE/SEM processes? If you are on the State's network you can see the most recent list of SUITE Projects. Have you had discussions in your area about SUITE and how it will be implemented in your area? What have your clients said about moving to the ...
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• Welcome to MDIT's SUITE Blog
Hello World! This is the first post of the MDIT SUITE Blog. We'll be looking to share our ideas and hear some of yours about all things SUITE. We encourage participation but want you to know up front that comments on all Michigan.gov blogs are moderated That means that once you submit a comment it needs to be reviewed before it is posted to the web. I'll do my best to get your "unmoderated" comments posted as quickly as I can. If you want to send questions directly feel free to reach me at SUITE@michigan.gov
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• What can SUITE mean for me/my area?
What is SUITE and what can it mean to me/my area. SUITE stands for State Unified Information Technology Environment. A short brochure of what SUITE is can be found on the michigan.gov/suite website. A video of the highlights is also available via a link on the SUITE website. Here is the direct link to the information. What do you think the implementation of SUITE methodology can ...
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• Agriculturally Speaking... 2007 Census of Agriculture
Taking part in the 2007 Census of Agriculture is your opportunity to be heard. By accurately filling out your Census form you are helping tell America about the value of Michigan's $60.1 billion and growing agriculture industry.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Consumer Protection in Gasoline, Diesel, and Winter Fuels
With Michigan's beautiful forests, lakes, rivers, shores, sunrises, and sunsets, we as Michiganders love to hop in the car and travel our state. During the holiday season, we visit our favorite Michigan Christmas tree farm and reunite with family and friends to enjoy our own unique celebrations. And as winter settles over us for its annual visit, we light our fireplaces and turn up the thermostats to keep the chill outside where it belongs.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Select Michigan for the Holidays
Michigan vegetables, Michigan potatoes, Michigan apples, Michigan cherries, Michigan turkey, Michigan sugar, Michigan dairy products - the list goes on and on. Michigan products also make great gifts, so give a taste of Michigan to everyone on your list! Many Michigan specialty food companies and retail stores offer gift baskets filled with the bounty of our state, from fine wines, jams and jellies, fresh apples, and dipping oils, to spice mixes, honey, pancake mix, maple syrup, dried cherries, and so much more.
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• MDA Licensing Project Blog
Share your thoughts on the MDA Licensing Consolidation Project.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... Food Safety
In almost every presentation I give I remind people the Michigan Department of Agriculture's (MDA) top priority is ensuring the safety of the state's food supply - from farm to fork. This is a serious responsibility in today's global marketplace where, if we're not vigilant, problems of every type can impact our food - whether it was produced here or across the globe.
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• Agriculturally Speaking... : Bovine Tuberculosis
The State of Michigan, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has been successfully working to eradicate Bovine Tuberculosis from Michigan since it was first discovered in free-ranging white-tailed deer in 1995. Since that time, the livestock industry has completed surveillance that demonstrates the disease is confined to the northern section of Lower Michigan.
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• Workforce Retention BLOG
Have you done something to improve employee retention at your practice or facility? If so, share the information here. We want to hear your success stories!
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• Success Stories
We want to hear your success stories about patient safety initiatives. Please share your strategies so others can learn from your ingenuity and effort.
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• DNR Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Offers Salmon Fishing Workshop
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• We want to hear your success story!
Have you, or someone you know, successfully entered a health related career? If so, we'd like to hear about it!
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• Health Careers Blog
Lets BLOG about health career opportunities.
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• MDCH Bureau of Laboratory's 100 Year Anniversary BLOG
Blog for BOL 100 Year Anniversary
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• Best Races!
Tell us about your best races.
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• Winter Training Is Not Easy!
How do you keep in top physical shape during the wild weather months?
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• Hydrology Blog -- Let's Talk!!
We will use this blog to post current information, ask for your input, or just to post general discussions about hydrology and hydraulics. Feel free to post!
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• Justine Asks:
I saw an article on the CNN Money website (http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/18/pf/college/college_costs/) that says average tuition four-year public universities is $11,354 for attendance, including room, board and fees. It's a little shocking! But the good news is they report a college graduate is likely to earn about 73 percent more than a high school graduate. Is your family saving for college for you? Or is your family already paying for college costs? The manufacturing website has links for scholarships you can apply for to help defray some of these costs.
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• Tye asks:
What career options are you considering? Do your parents support your choices? Or do they encourage you to explore other career options? What do some of your friends want to do in the real world?
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• Tye asks:
Internships are key to any career option in fact, sometimes it's a requirement. Our manufacturing website includes a link to an Internship search to help you get started. Have you ever had an internship before? Do you plan to get an internship? Do you care if it?s paid or unpaid, or do you focus on what type of experience you are going to get?
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• Justine Asks:
I saw an article on the CNN Money website (http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/18/pf/college/college_costs/) that says average tuition four-year public universities is $11,354 for attendance, including room, board and fees. It's a little shocking! But the good news is they report a college graduate is likely to earn about 73 percent more than a high school graduate. Is your family saving for college for you? Or is your family already paying for college costs? The manufacturing website has links for scholarships you can apply for to help defray some of these costs.
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• Justine Asks:
The Engineer Girl website provides a sample of starting salaries for engineers, doctors, lawyers and other professions. Does salary information have an impact on what you plan to study or your career choice? Do you think it's more important to make more money, enjoy your job or both?
Visit the Engineering Girl Web Site
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• Tye Asks:
Many car manufacturers have been offering employee discounts (GM, Chrysler, Ford) and sales have soared. Have the sales promotions impacted your family? Did you think they were a good idea to help boost car sales? What advice would you give the companies to help sell cars in the future?
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