Learn about MDARD's four bureaus, including contact information, by clicking the above link, or view specific information below.
Boards, Councils, 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.
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.
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.
Regenerative agriculture is an active approach to land management driven by improving soil health. Rather than a rigid set of rules, it embraces a blend of sustainable farming methods tailored to each farmer's needs.
Core principles include:
By adopting regenerative agricultural practices, farmers and landowners can be profitable while restoring healthy soils and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
Aligned with the Governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, MDARD's Fiscal Year 24 budget provided $6 million to bolster soil health and regenerative agriculture initiatives. This funding supports practices like soil cover maintenance, crop diversity, and livestock integration to mitigate climate impacts.
Additionally, $7 million is allocated to promote climate-smart agricultural methods and innovative technologies, enhancing soil and plant health, carbon sequestration, water efficiency, and conservation efforts through research grants to Michigan State University.
Learn more about how MDARD and our partners and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Michigan:
The Veteran Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration is a farm nestled within the 600-acre Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home (VFWNH) in Eaton Rapids, is paving the way for veterans to engage in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture. This innovative program is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the VFW National Home, and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, supported by funding from The Corps Network, in conjunction with AmeriCorps.
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. Getting MAEAP verified shows peers and neighbors the high level of commitment to agricultural stewardship and protecting the environment. MAEAP has four systems that address different aspects of the farm: Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock and the newly developed Forest, Wetlands and Habitat System. Each looks at different practices depending on site-specific management and production practices and associated risks.
This summer, MDARD is sponsoring a free, in-depth workshop series alongside farmer-run Understanding Ag, LLC. The series is designed to help farmers adopt soil-health practices that improve resilience, increase profitability, and support long-term sustainability. It emphasizes peer-to-peer learning and real-world experience, recognizing that farmer-to-farmer information sharing is a key driver in the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices.
Founded and operated by farmers, Understanding Ag works directly with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to educate and support the implementation of regenerative practices that restore soil health, boost profitability, and ensure farm sustainability for future generations. Understanding Ag is a pioneer in the regenerative agriculture industry and now has an international presence as a leader in the field.
Register now for upcoming regenerative field workshops for farmers.
| Name | Date | Time | Classroom | Address |
| Apple/Fruit Workshop | August 6, 2025 | 9am - 3:30pm | West Michigan Research Station | 5185 N Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420 |
| Vegetable Workshop | August 7, 2025 | 9am - 3:30pm | John Ward Farm | 23380 16 Mile Rd., Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
| Consumer Workshop | August 26, 2025 | 1:30pm - 8:00pm | Community Center at A.B. Ford | 8755 Lenox St., Detroit, MI 48215 |
| Consumer Workshop | August 27, 2025 | 9am - 3:30pm | Drumhiller Farms | 8755 Clough Rd., Parma, MI 49269 |