Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Annual Reports
Fruit and Vegetable Controlled Atmosphere Storage Licensing Details, FAQ's, & Forms
Want to know how to contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development? On this page you will find phone numbers, email addresses, snail mail addresses, and online contact forms for everything we do here at MDARD. We even have a complaint form for those of you with complaints.
Laws and Regulations pertaining to and governing the actions and policies of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
This area contains information for press and media agencies. Press Releases, Pics, Podcasts & Videos
All public meetings, that fall under the Open Meetings Act, scheduled by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development will be posted here. Questions about any of these meetings should be directed to contact person in the division listed on the notice.
Animal ID and movement requirements in the State of Michigan
Animal health resources for veterinary professionals.
Diseases affecting, or potentially affecting, animals in Michigan
Rules governing the disposal of Bodies of Dead Animals (BODA).
Information about how MDARD's Agriculture Development Division can help you grow your business in Michigan.
Michigan's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was created to help protect our environment and wildlife. Michigan is partnering with the federal government to implement conservation practices of great significance to the state, and valuable to the nation, in matters of soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
Programs under the Private Forestlands Initiative, including the Forestry Assistance Program, Qualified Forester Registration, and Qualified Forest Program.
Good migrant labor housing is an essential element in securing an adequate supply of seasonal agricultural workers.
The Cottage Food law, enacted in 2010, allows individuals to manufacture and store certain types of foods in an unlicensed home kitchen.
Find a licensed firm in Michigan, from pesticide businesses to retail establishments, and more.
For the registration of horses, breeders and owners so as to render them eligible for racing and breeder/owner awards.
Retail Motor Fuel Outlet licensing information, applications and forms.
Information on Weights & Measures service person and agency registration, as well as weights and measures advisories.
Each new, existing, and proposed commercial pesticide or fertilizer bulk storage facility is required to register annually with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Information on how to acquire a feed license to manufacture or distribute commercial feed in Michigan.
Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is charged with certifying sites where industrial hemp is to be grown under the authority of the federal Agriculture Act of 2014 and the state Industrial Hemp Research Act of 2014.
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July 06, 2022
LANSING, MI – Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded the 2022 One-Time Farm Stress Grant to expand upon Michigan farm stress programming and allow for further assistance for individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to Michigan State University, in collaboration with Easterseals for $225,000.
“While the agricultural industry in Michigan continues to create new economic opportunities for food and agricultural businesses, we recognize the growing need for updated resources and educational programs that will help support the mental health of our farmers and their families,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “At MDARD, we not only want to support economic development for businesses but Michiganders who work so hard in our industry day after day.”
The project aims to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance. The purpose of this funding, granted under Act No. 87 of the Public Acts of 202, is to actively address issues of farm stress and mental health through farm business programming that includes farm resource management to prevent or ease the process of farm loss, consolidation, and farm succession.
Michigan State University and Easterseals will use the funding to expand education, resources, and referrals to farmers, family members, and agribusiness professionals with online options to build communication skills and learn how to identify and manage stress.
“Educational programs can strengthen knowledge of mental health including warning signs of stress and suicide, as well as assist individuals in developing communication skills and help-seeking behaviors,” said Dr. Cheryl L. Eschbach, Ph.D., Director, Health and Nutrition Institute at Michigan State University Extension.
“Easterseals Michigan is excited to partner with MSU on offering services and supports to address the growing mental health needs of farmers and their families in Michigan. Together we have been providing rehabilitative services and adaptive equipment through our AgrAbility program keeping farmers farming, and now we can now complement services holistically with addressing the mental health needs of farmers,” said Brent Wirth, President and CEO of Easterseals.
For more information about MDARD’s grant programs, visit Michigan.gov/MDARDGrants.