March 09, 2026
Welcome to the Soil and Agricultural Stewardship Newsletter – the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) new publication providing Michigan farmers and landowners with the latest news, updates, and resources related to Regenerative Agriculture Program (RAP) and the Michigan Agriculture and Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)!
In February 2026, MDARD’s Soil, Water, and Climate Section, which comprises both the Regenerative Agriculture Program (RAP) and the Michigan Agriculture and Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), implemented internal organizational changes to strengthen service and streamline support for Michigan farmers and landowners.
What’s New:
What this Means for You:
These changes do not affect producers or current program participation. Please continue to work with your Conservation Technician to implement MAEAP and RAP.
We look forward to continuing to support your stewardship efforts through this newly unified approach.
In each edition of this newsletter, you’ll meet a Michigan farm or food business that’s implementing and/or promoting practices that ensure good stewardship of Michigan’s soil and agricultural resources. This month’s spotlight is on Annie G’s Dairy in Ann Arbor.
Opened in August 2024, Annie G’s storefront features the first retail milk vending machine of its kind in the United States. It’s a key part of the farm’s mission to make high-quality, digestible milk accessible to local communities while prioritizing animal welfare, environmental health, and long-term sustainability.
Regenerative Practices and A2A2 Genetics
Annie G’s maintains a closed herd of approximately 150 cows, including young stock and dry cows. The farm has focused its breeding efforts on producing 100 percent A2A2 cows, meaning the milk they produce contains only the A2 variant of beta-casein protein. Some research suggests that A2 milk is easier to digest for people who experience discomfort from traditional A1/A2 milk.
The farm operates on 240 acres of pasture and cropland, all of which support the herd through rotational grazing and on-farm feed production. These practices improve soil structure, increase biodiversity, and help reduce dependence on external inputs.
Technology-Driven Animal Welfare
Annie G’s milks cows voluntarily using two robotic milkers that identify individual animals, tailor the milking process, and collect production data. Cow are enticed into the robotic milkers with a small serving of energy dense pellets and liquid molasses to supplement their pasture diet.
The barn, built in 2020, includes 109 stalls and was designed with cow comfort in mind, including airflow systems, durable footing, and ample space for movement. Annie G’s breeds cows with smaller frames to better navigate pasture environments, improving efficiency on grazed terrain.
On-Farm Processing and Milkbot Retail
Annie G’s processes its own milk on-site using vat pasteurization, a method that gently heats the milk in small batches to preserve taste and nutritional quality. Milk is offered in its whole form and can be flavored with options like chocolate, strawberry, and chai.
At the storefront, customers fill reusable glass bottles using a Czech-designed Milkbot — a touchscreen vending machine that dispenses fresh milk at the push of a button. The storefront’s design reflects the farm’s sustainable ethos, incorporating reclaimed doors from the historic Howell Carnegie District Library.
Owners with Global Experience
Annie G’s is owned by Kat and Dave, who met in New Zealand while working in agriculture. Kat is a veterinarian; Dave grew up in Northern Ireland and worked internationally in artificial insemination and livestock systems. Together, they bring complementary skills to the operation, using data and design to improve animal health, farm efficiency, and sustainability.
Visit Annie G’s at 6130 Pleasant Lake Rd, Ann Arbor, MI or check out their web page.
Want to see your farm, food business, or community organization featured in this newsletter? Contact Meredith Studstill (StudstillM@Michigan.gov) and Cirsten Cole (ColeC17@michigan.gov).
Regenerative agriculture is an active approach to land management rooted in improving soil health. Rather than a rigid set of rules, it embraces a blend of sustainable farming methods tailored to each farmer's needs.
By adopting regenerative practices, Michigan farmers and landowners can strengthen profitability while restoring soil health and protecting natural resources for future generations. Healthy soils improve water infiltration and retention, reduce erosion, support nutrient cycling, and build resilience against extreme weather, all while helping farms remain productive and economically viable.
Core principles of regenerative agriculture include:
MDARD's Regenerative Agriculture Program is one of the first in the nation to be embedded within a state agriculture agency. The program is committed to advancing a regenerative approach to agriculture that fosters prosperity, enhances farm ecosystems, improves community health and supports resilient agricultural systems throughout the Great Lakes region. Since its establishment in 2024, the program has:
Through these efforts, MDARD is working alongside farmers to build healthier soils, stronger operations, and a more resilient agricultural future for Michigan.
Several Conservation Technicians and Field Coordinators joined more than 100 farmers and agricultural professionals at the 2026 Underground Innovations Conference in Frankenmuth on February 4 and 5, 2026. This MDARD-supported event highlighted farms that go above and beyond in their farming practices, resulting in not only larger profit margins, but also healthier soils, stronger communities and diversified market opportunities. Many of the speakers were proud to share that they are MAEAP-verified.
One of the biggest takeaways from the event was the need to go beyond simply putting seed in the ground to be successful in the current state of the farm economy. Michigan Agriculture Advancement puts on a great program every year and a great professional development opportunity. If you would like to know more about Michigan Agriculture Advancement or the event, check out the Michigan Agriculture Advancement website.
Another key takeaway from the event was the need for farmers to maintain dialogue on sustainable agriculture practices and to share best practices with their neighbors. MDARD’s Regenerative Agriculture Program recently launched new grant programs to help build the very farmer-to-farmer networks that Underground Innovations attendees called for. Visit MDARD’s website to learn more about our new Regenerative Farmer Network Grants and read on to learn about our new Regenerative Agriculture Education and Outreach Grants.
MDARD is investing nearly $300,000 in Conservations Districts across Michigan to expand and enhance education and outreach events that promote regenerative agriculture practices and farmer-to-farmer networks. These grants will amplify existing efforts by conservation districts that have demonstrated a strong commitment to regenerative agriculture education and outreach.
Through these grants, MDARD’s Regenerative Agriculture Program will strengthen local capacity for education and outreach, ultimately accelerating the adoption of regenerative agriculture across Michigan. Grant awards of up to $15,000 support conservation districts in hosting successful events that focus on:
• Showcasing successful regenerative management practices
• Increasing awareness of both the challenges and opportunities associated with regenerative agriculture
• Highlighting farmer-led innovation
• Supporting farm-to-farm networking
Hands-on demonstrations and education help build trust in regenerative methods and empower farmers with the knowledge and confidence needed to transition successfully. By adopting regenerative agricultural practices, farmers and landowners can remain profitable while restoring soil health and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
Join events funded by these grants.
On February 11, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proposed the creation of a new $2 million FarmStart program in her Fiscal Year 2027 executive budget recommendation. This new initiative will house a Beginning Farmer Resource Hub to centralize existing local, state and national resources related to agricultural education, land access and farm financing. The hub will also connect beginning and next-generation farmers and agricultural professionals to existing departmental programs – like MDARD’s Farm to Family Program and Regenerative Agriculture Program – while promoting career pathways and supporting the long-term success of future agricultural leaders.
“Our farmers, growers and agribusinesses know firsthand that current federal policies are creating a lot of uncertainty for the future of our industry,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Gov. Whitmer’s budget recommendation makes clear that here in Michigan, we control the controllables to ensure success of the industry’s next chapter.”
“A program like FarmStart could really help Kaaj Farms expand and connect to other areas of the state,” said Keion Jackson, who owns a goat-grazing operation in southeast Michigan. “Knowing Gov. Whitmer and MDARD want to see me successful by offering a holistic approach to supporting myself and other young agriculture professionals is empowering.”
Are you looking to get involved in MAEAP or RAP? Do you have questions about conservation practices or soil sampling help? Contact your local Conservation Technician today!
Want to meet MDARD SAS staff in person and learn more about MAEAP and RAP? Come meet them at the following events:
