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.
Farmland Development Rights Agreements are a temporary restriction on the land between the State and a landowner and preserves the land for agricultural purposes in exchange for certain tax benefits and exemptions for various special assessments. These agreements are commonly known as P.A. 116 and have an expiration date that is unique to each agreement. It is the responsibility of the landowner to notify MDARD of the intention to extend the agreement within 6 months of the natural termination date of the development rights agreement, or to inform MDARD of the intention to allow the agreement to expire (MCL 324.36107). Requests to extend a development rights agreement can be submitted using the extension request form (PDF).
Pursuant to MCL 324.36111(8), if a Farmland Development Rights Agreement is allowed to EXPIRE, there is a required repayment of tax credits taken during the final seven (7) years of the Agreement. The amount of repayment (or amount of lien) is calculated by the MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY upon expiration of the agreement. MDARD will notify you of this amount in writing and if the amount is not paid within 30 days from the date of notification, MDARD will be required to place a lien on the property described in the Agreement. A lien will not be required if you or any prior owners have not claimed tax credits during the final seven (7) years of the agreement.
If the ownership of the property described in the Agreement(s) has changed, please submit a TRANSFER REQUEST to our office. The request should include a cover letter along with a copy of the recorded deed from you to the new owner. Please make sure to include the address of the new owner for future correspondence. Please remember to reference your Agreement Number in all correspondence and identify any address corrections that are needed.
Reentry in a Farmland Development Rights Agreement is allowed if a landowner allows an agreement to expire. Any liens filed after the expiration of the agreement will be discharged upon successful renewal or reentry in a Farmland Development Rights Agreement. Please note that any subsequent lien cannot be less than the amount of any previous lien discharged (MCL 324.36111(7)).
A reinstated agreement can only be approved if the ownership and the legal description of the property has not changed since expiration of the agreement. The landowner must agree to re-instate all of the land described on the agreement for a minimum of 10 years. If approved, MDARD will prepare and record a discharge of lien.
To request a reinstatement of an expired Farmland Development Rights Agreement, please complete and submit a written request to MDARD using the P.A. 116 Reinstate Form.
Requests and forms should be emailed to: MDARD-PA116@michigan.gov
Or mailed to:
Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Environmental Stewardship Division
P.O. Box 30449
Lansing, MI 48909
Or faxed to: 517-335-3131