Learn about MDARD's four bureaus, including contact information, by clicking the above link, or view specific information below.
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
Animal health resources for veterinary professionals.
Diseases affecting, or potentially affecting, animals in Michigan
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).
Materials developed to provide information on how an individual may become a qualified Animal Control Officer.
Information about how MDARD's Agriculture Development Division can help you grow your business in Michigan.
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.
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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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December 05, 2022
LANSING, MI- Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) celebrates World Soil Day to recognize and honor the critical role healthy soil plays in feeding our families, supporting our natural resources and its place as a vital and sustainable agricultural and natural resource.
In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 5 as the first World Soil Day. World Soil Day has been vital to advocate for sustainable soil management resources. All around the world, people use the day to inform and inspire. And there’s a different theme to focus on each year. It reminds us to appreciate this incredible natural resource — the source of our food, the anchor of ecosystems, and that’s merely scratching the surface.
This year’s theme, Where Food Begins, recognizes the importance of soil fertility; the ability to sustain plant growth by providing plants with key nutrients to grow. Over the last 70 years, globally, food has loss a significant number of vitamins and nutrients, which has led to low crop yield and crop failure. MDARD is working with producers to protect soil fertility and increase yield by implementing conservation practices that reduce nutrient loss from our soil.
“The nutrients found in our soil are an important resource for our state’s 20 million acres of forestland and more than 300 agricultural commodities grown commercially in Michigan,” said Gary McDowell, MDARD Director. “Producers and landowners alike are fundamental too protecting soil fertility and reducing nutrient loss by participating in many of our programs supporting healthy soil, carbon sequestration, water quality, and wildlife protection.”
MDARD and its partners offer a variety of avenues to protect and support the long-term health and vitality of Michigan’s soil and support sustainable agriculture. These programs include
• Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program is a voluntary program aimed at helping producers protect the environment by implementing conservation practices on their land. To participate, landowners work together with their local conservation district to identify steps they can take to prevent pollution.
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a partnership between the state of Michigan, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service, local conservation districts, and others to implement voluntary conservation practices in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Lake Macatawa, and Saginaw Bay watersheds. Producers who participate are reimbursed up to half of the costs to install conservation practices. Landowners interested in applying for CREP should contact their local conservation district or USDA’s Service Center.
• Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program preserves farmland from being developed for non-agricultural uses. Participating landowners may be entitled to receive a Michigan income tax credit for property tax more than 3.5 percent of total household income and exempt from some special assessments.
• Qualified Forest Program encourages landowners to manage their forestland for wildlife enhancement, commercial harvest, and natural resource protection. Landowners who participate receive a property tax exemption.
For more information on World Soil Day, visit, https://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/.
For more information on MDARD’s programs, visit, www.Michigan.gov/MDARD.
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