Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development

The regular meeting of the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The business session is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. The meeting is open to the public, and this notice is provided under the Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275. The Commissioners will be meeting at MDARD Heffron Metrology Laboratory, 940 Venture Ln, Williamston, MI 48895. This meeting is also being conducted electronically to allow for greater remote public attendance and participation. To join the meeting via Microsoft Teams: by telephone dial: 1-248-509-0316 and enter the Conference ID 509 927 625# or by video conference join online the day of the meeting.

In accordance with the Commission’s Public Appearance Guidelines, individuals wishing to address the Commission may pre-register to do so during the Public Comment period as noted below and will be allowed up to three minutes for their presentation. Documents distributed in conjunction with the meeting will be considered public documents and are subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The public comment time provides the public an opportunity to speak; the Commission will not necessarily respond to the public comment.

To pre-register to speak virtually during this meeting, individuals should contact the Commission Assistant no later than Fri. September 4, 2026, via email at MDA-Ag-Commission@michigan.gov and provide their name, organization they represent, address, and telephone number, as well as indicate if they wish to speak to an agenda item. The Commission Assistant will respond in acknowledgement of speaking request via email. You may also contact the Commission Assistant at that email address to provide input or ask questions on any business that will come before the Commission at the meeting. The Commission Chair will call upon each person by name and telephone number when it is time for them to speak and there will be a meeting moderator facilitating participation. All others wishing to speak will be provided two minutes to do so. Instructions on how to be recognized will be provided at the beginning of the meeting.

Those needing accommodations for effective participation in the meeting should contact the Commission Assistant at 800-292-3939 one week in advance or may use the Michigan Relay Center by calling 711 for deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired persons.

TENTATIVE AGENDA

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Agenda (action item)
3. Approval of Minutes from July 22, 2026, Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development Meeting (action item)
4. Commissioner Comments and Travel (action item)
5. Director’s Report
6. Public Comment on Agenda Items
   In accordance with the Public Appearance Guidelines in the Commission Policy Manual, individuals wishing to address the Commission must complete a Public Appearance Card and will be allowed up to three minutes for their presentation. Documents distributed at the meeting will be considered public documents and are subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The public comment time provides the public with an opportunity to speak; the Commission will not necessarily respond to the public comment.
7. Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Standards – Introduction of 2027 Standards: Erik Palm, Conservation Stewardship Division (action item)
8. Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs) and Generally Accepted Processing Practices (GAPPs) – Process and Introduction of Draft 2027 GAAMPs and GAPPs: Michael Philip, Bureau of Environment and Sustainability Director and Kyle McCarty, GAAMPs and GAPPs Specialist (information only)
9. Coordinating efforts to advance healthy soil in Michigan Presentation: Dr. Laura Johnson, Chief Science Officer, Will Jaquinde, Regenerative Agriculture Specialist and Tyler Baird, Science & Research Analyst (information only)
10. Public Comment
    In accordance with the Public Appearance Guidelines in the Commission Policy Manual, individuals wishing to address the Commission will be allowed up to three minutes for their presentation. Documents distributed at the meeting will be considered public documents and are subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The public comment time provides the public an opportunity to speak; the Commission will not necessarily respond to the public comment.
11. Adjourn (action item)