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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Under the Michigan Food Law of 2000, retail food establishments are required to have a person in charge during all hours of operation.
The Food Code requires a person in charge to demonstrate knowledge of:
The most important way a person in charge may demonstrate the required level of knowledge is by compliance with the Food Code. That is, if during a routine inspection the inspector finds no critical violations, the requirement for manager knowledge is met.
Another way to demonstrate knowledge is by being a certified food protection manager. To become certified, the person in charge must have taken an accredited manager certification course that includes passing a test.
The third way to demonstrate manager knowledge is by correctly responding to an inspector's questions about the food operation. This does not mean an inspector will be going down a list or "quizzing" the person in charge. However, during the course of a routine inspection, the safe food practices and procedures used by the establishment will be discussed between the person in charge and the inspector. The person in charge should be able to show a working knowledge of those areas of the Food Code specific to the practices in place.
The level of knowledge required of the person in charge depends on the scope of food operations taking place within the establishment. For example, a night manager at a convenience store does not need to demonstrate knowledge of cooking times and temperatures in the Food Code if the store doesn't perform any cooking of food. However, the person in charge at a large restaurant may need to know most of the requirements found in the Food Code.
See part 2-1 of the Food Code for a complete description of the requirements of the person in charge.
Note: This document is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a replacement to reading the Food Code and Michigan Food Law of 2000. Food safety information and additional copies of this and other fact sheets are available at Michigan.gov/FoodSafety.