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
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Verification in the Cropping System recognizes farms that have taken great strides to ensure their farm reflects a commitment to good stewardship of the land and water.
The Cropping category focuses on field-based activities such as water use, soil conservation, and nutrient management. This category applies to all crops grown in Michigan. These include field crops, vegetables, fruit orchards, greenhouse crops, and ornamental trees.
To earn recognition, invite a MAEAP technician to visit your farm. He or she will help you assess your farm, develop a plan of action, and fill out paperwork. Plans are tailored to the types of crops your farm raises. All plans lay out steps you can take to prevent erosion and runoff while continuing to raise healthy crops. Plans must meet Michigan Right-to-Farm guidelines and comply with state and federal laws. The technician will also provide you with information on financial and technical assistance that you may find helpful. You are free to implement your plan’s recommended steps on your own time.
Once the work is complete, contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). A verifier from MDARD will visit your farm to ensure the recommended practices are in place and address erosion and runoff risks on your land.
Once your farm is “verified,” you will receive a sign to display on your farm. You can buy a second sign if needed. You will also receive preference for cost-share, tax credits, and other financial assistance.
Your MAEAP recognition is good for five years. To maintain MAEAP recognition, you must review your plan with a MAEAP technician and request a farm visit from MDARD.
For documentation regarding the Cropping System, visit our Resource Library
“At the West Central Michigan Research Station, we have 68 acres of fruit, grown for research purposes. This station was built to be a model for new growers and existing growers that are looking to improve their sustainability. We want to be the showpiece farm and lead by example with our actions so any grower can walk on our farm and see what we are doing to better our soils, water, and fruit quality. Our verification means more than just our fantastic-looking sign by the road. We see this as a reminder each day that as growers, our livelihood depends on our crops, our crops depend on our water and soil quality, so each day it is our mission to improve the most valuable assets we have.
The MAEAP program is one of the best programs we have in agriculture. It is a voluntary program and confidential, they are there to help, they never judge you or your farm, they just look for improvements that will make you more successful. It is important as growers that we take advantage of programs like this one because:
Through the process of becoming verified it also helped me get a big head start on Food Safety Audits, and again, it’s confidential so you can ask all the questions you have, comfortably. I was told when I signed up for my food safety audit that “if your farm is MAEAP verified you will have no problem with our audit.”
Purchasers of your commodities will notice your farm is MAEAP verified and have confidence that your vision is a long-term vision just as theirs is. This is one more large step you can do to set your farm ahead of your competition. Customer demand is pushing for a better product and being MAEAP verified is a great way to prove you are doing just that. “
pictured (left to right): Lane Stotler, John Bakker, and Lynda Herremans
-Lane Stotler, West Central Michigan Research Station