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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April 03, 2023
Healthy poultry and healthy people begin with simple preventative measures
LANSING, MI - With the sale of baby poultry (chicks, ducklings, etc.) this spring, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding Michiganders who purchase and care for these birds to take preventative measures so both their birds and they themselves are protected from diseases like Salmonella.
These preventative measures include any action people can take to make sure harmful germs are not being transferred from them to their birds or from their birds to themselves.
HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. In 2022, Michigan had 22 confirmed cases of the disease in domestic flocks of various sizes; and this year, two more cases have already been detected—one in a backyard flock and one in a hunting preserve.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk associated with HPAI remains low. In addition, no birds or bird products infected with this disease will enter the commercial food chain.
Another disease-causing germ linked to live poultry is Salmonella, a bacteria found in the droppings of poultry, which can cause illness in people.
In 2022, the CDC reported numerous cases of Salmonella that were linked to backyard poultry, involving 1,230 people across 49 states. Even if birds look healthy and clean, they can still be carrying the Salmonella bacteria; and measures need to be taken to prevent illness.
No matter the type of germ, species of poultry, or size of flock, following these preventative measures are fundamental to protecting your health and the health of your flock:
It is also recommended to remain outdoors when cleaning any equipment associated with raising or caring for poultry, such as cages, feed, water containers and other materials. Then, store the cleaned equipment in an area where it cannot be accessed by wild birds or rodents before its next use.
More information on avian influenza and how to protect flocks through preventative measures can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website. Also, more information on Salmonella and backyard flocks is available on the CDC’s website.
Stay Up to Date on HPAI in Michigan
Subscribe to receive email notifications by visiting MDARD’s website and clicking on the “Avian Influenza” link. After entering a valid email address, subscribers will receive updates and alerts regarding the status of avian influenza in Michigan whenever there are new developments to report. Additional resources can also be found at Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.
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