Learn about MDARD's four bureaus, including contact information, by clicking the above link, or view specific information below.
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The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends and determines policy on food, agricultural, and rural development issues. MDARD oversees several additional boards and commissions.
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.
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Laws and Regulations pertaining to and governing the actions and policies of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
Animal ID and movement requirements in the State of Michigan
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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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Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
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April 06, 2026
LANSING, Mich.— The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting the detection of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in two cattle herds from Alpena and Presque Isle counties. The cases were detected during the annual whole-herd surveillance tests for each herd.
"Both herds are located in areas where bovine TB is known to be present in the free-ranging white-tailed deer population, and both herds illustrate why it is so crucial to consistently perform surveillance testing and actively manage this disease," said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "The most effective way to prevent bovine TB from infecting cattle herds is to protect cattle from contact with wild deer and the disease they could be carrying, which takes the collective efforts of hunters, producers, industry, and government agencies in Michigan."
Bovine TB is a bacterial disease that can affect all mammals, including humans. It is known to be present in the wild white-tailed deer population in specific areas of northeastern lower Michigan, and the disease can be transmitted between deer and cattle.
There are currently two bovine TB zones within the state: a four-county area (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda counties) known as the Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) and the remainder of the state known as the Accredited Free Zone. Presque Isle County is part of the Accredited Free Zone, but the county has many of the same requirements for bovine TB testing and movement of cattle as the MAZ.
An epidemiological investigation will be performed to identify the possible sources of infection and will include genetic analysis of the specific tuberculosis organism found.
While MDARD and other state and federal agencies are taking significant steps to manage bovine TB within the MAZ through routine surveillance testing of cattle herds, mandatory animal identification, required movement certificates, and wildlife biosecurity programs, deer hunting in the northeastern Lower Peninsula continues to be an important tool in combatting this disease and maintaining healthy deer, healthy cattle, and healthy people.
More information about bovine TB can be found on MDARD's website.
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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding Michiganders to keep food safety in mind as they prepare meals for family and friends this spring. Taking a few simple precautions to keep your food safe and your guests healthy:
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced $150,000 of Animal Welfare Fund grants to help registered Michigan animal shelters care for homeless pets.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced an innovative new research grant program to combat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination on Michigan agricultural lands.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) urges animal owners to remain vigilant and take preventative measures against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as wild birds complete their spring migration.
Following an investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock from Kent County.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced a new County Fairs Water Infrastructure Capital Improvement Grant Program to help enhance water systems at county fairgrounds across the state. Eligible county fairs may apply for the new grants via the MiAgGrants web portal by 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Following an investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock from Kent County. This is the first detection of HPAI in Kent County since the virus was first detected in the state in 2022. Even with the cooler temperatures, the virus is still present in the environment and travelling through infected wild birds. MDARD continues to strongly recommend owners remain vigilant and actively protect their animals from HPAI, especially as wild birds complete their spring migration.
This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed March as Michigan Food and Agriculture Month. To mark the annual occasion, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is launching the 2026 Michigan Agriculture magazine, which features stories about the hardworking growers, producers and business owners who power the state’s second-largest industry.