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.
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.
May 23, 2025
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Agricultural Preservation Fund Board (MAPFB) today announced more than $1.8 million of Agricultural Preservation Fund grants to protect farmland in six counties and townships.
"MDARD is committed to sustaining Michigan's rich agricultural heritage and to protecting farmland crucial to the prosperity of communities throughout our state," said MDARD Director and MAPFB Chair Tim Boring. "Through the Agricultural Preservation Fund, MDARD can help local governments conserve farmland for the future benefit of their residents."
After a competitive review process, MDARD selected the following local counties and townships to receive grants that will help preserve 655.49 acres:
Since Fiscal Year 2019, MDARD has issued more than $9 million of Agricultural Development Fund grants to qualifying farmland preservation programs throughout the state of Michigan. The grants were part of more than $184 million MDARD delivered over the past seven years to help local communities ensure food safety, protect the environment, promote agricultural prosperity and create jobs.
By using the Agricultural Preservation Fund grant awards to purchase land currently being used for agricultural purposes, local communities ensure a sustainable source of fresh food and keep jobs in the agriculture community. According to statute, purchasing agricultural land in an easement establishes permanent agricultural use that prevents development and non-permitted uses on the land even when it sells to new owners. Local farmland preservation programs are eligible to submit applications for the Agricultural Preservation Fund Grant to support that mission.
MDARD distributes grants from the Agricultural Preservation Fund that cover up to 75 percent of the costs for purchasing the development rights on agricultural land. Landowners can donate a portion of the development rights value towards the required 25 percent local match of the conservation easement purchase price. The fund also helps to pay for certain closing costs associated with the conservation easements.
To qualify for grants from the Agricultural Preservation Fund, a county or township must have zoning authority and an approved master plan that includes farmland preservation. Prospective grant applicants are also required to have adopted a Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance and created a plan for monitoring conservation easements.
A Joint Evaluation Committee organized by MDARD reviews grant applications and selects awardees based on high and consistent criteria regarding the quality of agricultural parcels and local conservation program achievements.
To learn more about the board and preservation fund, visit www.michigan.gov/farmland.
###
Author:
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is gearing up to cut emissions and keep our skies smog-free through the annual summer gasoline program. From June 1 to September 15, MDARD will require suppliers and retailers in eight southeast Michigan counties to sell or dispense gasoline with a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) no greater than 7.0 pounds per square inch (psi).
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) announced today that they will accept online applications for the Qualified Small Distiller Program from May 12, 2025 to June 13, 2025.