Bureaus

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) houses four bureaus and is comprised of eight divisions that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public’s food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $104.7 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.

The Agriculture Development Bureau (AgD) delivers expertise and leadership to support growth of Michigan's food, agriculture and forest product industries and communities. Working hand-in-hand with community partners and other state and federal agencies, the team strives to create a culture of seamless customer service delivery to existing and new businesses. The team connects businesses to technical and development resources including funding and financing, regulatory assistance or international trade as well as providing forest assistance and qualified forest programs, farmland preservation, and regulatory and inspection services throughout the state.

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The Bureau of Environment and Sustainability supports agricultural practices to improve soil health and water quality and is responsible for certifying export commodities, regulating the sale and use pesticides and fertilizers, protecting Michigan from invasive species, and implementing Michigan’s Right to Farm law.

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The Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health enforces the laws and regulations governing food and feed safety and animal health in Michigan and serves as a key link in the federal-state-local food safety system. The three divisions within the bureau -- the Human Food Division, the Dairy, Feed, and Produce Division, and the Animal Industry Division – work in tandem to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the food and feed supply; respond to complaints, recalls, and emergencies; ensure the safety and humane treatment of livestock, poultry, aquaculture, equine and companion animals in our state; and provide education and outreach opportunities for our regulated businesses and consumers.

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The Laboratory and Consumer Protection Bureau helps safeguard Michiganders every day - whether at the gas pump or ensuring our food is pathogen-free. As part of MDARD's regulatory programs, the Lab tests for various food and feed pathogens, is responsible for helping regulate the safe use of pesticides, provides diagnostic and metrological testing, ensures the quality and quantity of gas being sold, prevents economic fraud by looking for credit card skimmers, and ensures packages contain the amount of product they claim. Their efforts continue to protect public health, preserve the integrity of the food safety net, and ensure consumers are getting what they pay for.

Learn about our divisions and programs.