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.
This area contains information for press and media agencies. Press Releases, Pics, Podcasts & Videos
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.
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.
Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
November 20, 2023
LANSING, MI - Michigan's regular firearm deer season runs November 15-30, and during and immediately following the season there is often an uptick of illegal venison sales through online marketplaces. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) urges caution when purchasing venison, processed specialty venison products or any meats from unlicensed facilities, especially online marketplaces.
"Many people assume food items sold online are from licensed and inspected, companies, but this is not always the case," said Jennifer Bonsky, MDARD Food and Dairy Division acting director. "Before you buy any food, and at this time of year particularly venison, make sure the food was processed at a facility licensed by MDARD. Our staff works tirelessly to make sure businesses are following the law to keep your food safe and family healthy."
Food products that are not properly prepared or handled can become contaminated with organisms like E. coli which can cause serious illness or even death. Purchasing foods from a licensed and inspected source, along with properly preparing, cooking, and storing foods, help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
In Michigan, there are a few ways to legally sell venison, elk meat and meat from other cervids. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) licenses and regulates game ranches across the state. Deer and elk from these DNR-licensed facilities can be processed at a meat processing facility licensed and inspected by MDARD and sold through MDARD-licensed retail grocery stores or wholesale facilities, with proper labeling, as required under the Michigan Food Law.
MDARD-licensed meat processors can accept hunter-harvested deer and process it into ground meat or sausage where fat from other animals and spices are added. They can also create value-added meat items like jerky, smoked meats, etc., but this requires a special variance issued by MDARD, along with a food establishment license.
Hunters can take their deer to a custom meat processor that does not have a license if the venison is simply cut and wrapped, but this meat must be marked as "Not for Sale" and used for personal use/consumption by the hunter. This meat can be shared with friends and family by the hunter, but not resold. If further processing like grinding with added fat, sausage making, or smoking is needed, the processor must be licensed.
"The best way to tell if venison being offered for sale is being sold legally is to look at the label, said Bonsky. A proper label will list ingredients, weight of the product, the name, address and contact of the licensed food business, and have a best by date, if needed. You can also ask to see a copy of the seller's food license."
For more food safety tips and information, visit www.Michigan.gov/foodsafety. MDARD also has a venison processing guide for retail food establishments. Visit the DNR's deer hunting page for information about hunting seasons, licensing and much more.
Read the Michigan State University Extension bulletin on Handling, Using and Storing Venison.
###
Media Contact:
Author: