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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.
Live, work and play in Michigan's robust and diverse food and agriculture industry.
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
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.
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Information about how MDARD's Agriculture Development Division can help you grow your business in Michigan.
Regenerative agricultural practices improve soil health and water quality
MDARD works with local providers of natural resource management services that help citizens implement conservation on their land and protect the environment for a cleaner, healthier, and economically stronger Michigan.
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Programs under the Private Forestlands Initiative, including the Forestry Assistance Program, Qualified Forester Registration, and Qualified Forest Program.
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The food industry is responsible for producing safe food. Government sets standards, conducts inspections, and monitors food. Consumers also play a huge role in keeping their food safe and wholesome. Learn more.
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.
Good migrant labor housing is an essential element in securing an adequate supply of seasonal agricultural workers.
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Information on Weights & Measures service person and agency registration, as well as weights and measures advisories.
For help with the sale, use, and disposal of pesticides, including labels and integrated pest management.
The plant health program protects agricultural and environmental resources through the early detection and management of invasive species and the inspection of plants and plant products for pests and diseases, while facilitating international and domestic commerce.
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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May 20, 2026
Grant award will expand production facility and create 150 jobs
LANSING, Mich.—The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development voted today to approve $275,000 in Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grant funding to fairlife, LLC. The funding, awarded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), will allow the business to complete an expansion project that will help meet consumer demand and create 150 new jobs.
"MDARD continues to leverage its grant programs to bolster economic growth in Michigan's food and agriculture industry," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "The Food and Agriculture Investment Program supports crucial improvements in processing capacity and helps create new jobs and opportunities in communities throughout our state."
The FAIP funding will be used as part of a $650 million investment project that will expand fairlife's Coopersville facility. The project will add two new high-speed production lines using fairlife s patented ultrafiltration technology and expand the plant by more than 245,000 square feet.
"We are honored that MDARD continues to believe in fairlife and our growth story in Michigan and has awarded us a performance-based grant through the Food and Agriculture Investment Program," said Phil LaMothe, SVP, Engineering & Manufacturing Operations, fairlife. "This investment reflects our shared commitment to the future of Michigan, and we are excited to further invest in the growth of the dairy industry across the state."
fairlife, LLC is a nutrition company that produces dairy-based products, including fairlife ultra-filtered milk, Core Power and fairlife Nutrition Plan protein shakes. Today, fairlife employs more than 1,000 workers across the country including more than 400 in Michigan. fairlife is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company.
The Coopersville facility sources over 6 million pounds of raw milk per day from more than 30 Michigan dairy farms. The completed expansion is expected to increase milk intake by up to four million pounds per day, a more than 60 percent increase. This projected increase creates significant new market opportunities for Michigan farmers, strengthens revenues and supports long-term farm sustainability.
The FAIP grant program offers financial support for projects that expand food and agriculture processing, enable growth in the agriculture industry and bolster Michigan s economy. MDARD's selection process is based on high and consistent criteria that include the project s potential to impact the overall agriculture industry as well as food and agriculture growth and investment in the state.
Since Fiscal Year 2019, MDARD has awarded more than $6.4 million of FAIP grants. The grants were part of more than $250 million MDARD delivered over the past seven years to help local communities build infrastructure, promote agricultural prosperity, ensure food safety and create jobs.
Read more about the Food and Agriculture Investment Program.
Learn more about MDARD grants.
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With camping season underway, the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Natural Resources (DNR) are reminding residents and visitors that invasive pests and diseases can hitchhike in untreated firewood, spreading easily from one location to another.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding Michiganders to keep food safety in mind as they prepare for the start of picnic and barbeque season this Memorial Day weekend.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) today announced a new application period for the Qualified Small Distiller Program, which is open until June 18, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET.
Following overwhelming interest from Michigan farmers and agribusinesses, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced the recipients of its Last Food Mile grant program to improve transportation infrastructure and give more Michigan families access to nutritious, affordable, locally grown foods.
The State of Michigan today released its first annual report under the updated Domestic Action Plan (DAP) for reducing the phosphorus runoff that feeds harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie. The DAP outlines measures to reduce phosphorus loads in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) by a sustained 40 percent over a baseline measurement taken in 2008. The Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD); Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE); and Natural Resources (DNR) updated the DAP in 2025 to introduce innovative new strategies for meeting the phosphorus reduction target.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising consumers to avoid using or consuming certain products produced by Dancing Goat Creamery at its Ionia County processing plant. Inspectors identified potential for undeclared ingredients such as peanut butter, eggs and soy as well as unsanitary conditions, posing possible health risks. Individuals who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to items such as eggs, peanuts or soy may be at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced $525,000 of grants to fund infrastructure improvements at county fairground facilities and to support livestock and commodity expositions.
The Michigan Horse Racing Advisory Commission (HRAC) today announced the recipients of the 2026 Equine Grants. The grants will provide a total of $125,000
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting a case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a cattle herd from Iosco County. Following a bovine TB detection in an adult cow identified at a United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service-inspected processing plant, the animal was traced back to the Iosco County herd. The herd was subsequently tested, and additional bovine TB cases were found.