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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.
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Animal ID and movement requirements in the State of Michigan
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Information on how to acquire a feed license to manufacture or distribute commercial feed in Michigan.
Rules governing the disposal of Bodies of Dead Animals (BODA).
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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.
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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.
Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
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October 12, 2022
LANSING, MI - Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed October as Farm to School Month in Michigan as part of the national Farm to School program enriching the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food, and local farmers.
“The Farm to School program empowers schools, students, and their families to make informed food choices, strengthening the local economy, creating economic opportunity for our rural communities, and improving the health and well-being of our kids,” said Governor Whitmer. “The bipartisan budget I signed earlier this year made record investment in education to help our kids succeed in the classroom and essential programs like Farm to School further enrich the student experience by offering them a solid nutritional foundation and also opening doors of opportunity for them to pursue careers in agriculture.”
Michigan’s Farm to School involves state agencies, community partners, academia, farmers and school food service programs, working together to lift up children, families, and communities in an equitable and inclusive way. The Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and local community and school food programs lead the statewide efforts.
Through the Farm to School program, schools, and preschools buy and feature locally produced, farm-fresh foods such as dairy, fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, meat, and beans on their menus. Schools also incorporate nutrition-based curriculum providing student learning opportunities like farm visits, garden-based learning, cooking lessons, and composting and recycling programs. As a result, students have access to fresh, local foods, and farmers have access to new markets through school sales.
"Michigan's local farmers, farm workers, and school nutrition professionals are key components of our state's vibrant food system," said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. "The framework in place through Farm to School efforts is a great connection point for farmers, schools and families. It’s the opportunity to pique student interest in agriculture as a career while offering an avenue for them to understand where their food comes from.”
“Parents can be assured that their children are receiving healthy and nutritious food at school – and from their own community,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “MDE has long supported and fostered farm to school programs through state-level partnerships, multiple federal grants, the 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms project and encouraging the purchase of Michigan-grown products for all of our nutrition programs."
MDE houses all federal child nutrition programs outside of Women, Infants and Children and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The department is responsible for school lunch/breakfast programs, after school meals, childcare meals, summer meals, and the food distribution programs of The Emergency Food Assistance Program and Community Supplemental Food Program.
Learn more about Michigan's Farm to School efforts.
2022 Farm to School Month Proclamation
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