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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To help Michigan’s pets thrive, each community needs high quality animal shelters to perform essential services. And, thanks to the Animal Welfare Fund, which is supported by generous Michigan taxpayers through voluntary contributions (Form 4642) on their state tax returns, the state’s registered animal shelters receive the support they need to help local animals. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Animal Industry Division manages the Animal Welfare Fund.
Registered animal shelters provide care to animals in Michigan’s communities, offer spay and neuter programs, and serve as a place for lost pets to be reunited with their families. These shelters also offer hope for a new home to surrendered or abandoned animals.
Situated in the communities they serve, animal shelters partner with law enforcement agencies, veterinarians, and animal behavior specialists to ensure a safe place for animals and the people that love them. Our shelters and their partners play a key role in preventing unwanted animals in communities by encouraging or offering low-cost spay neuter programs.
Throughout Michigan, communities struggle to find the money and resources their animal shelters need to provide medical care to the animals they rescue, offer public outreach, and fund educational opportunities for their staff.
Through the Animal Welfare Fund, MDARD provides financial grants to Michigan’s registered animal shelters for spay/neuter and care programs for shelter dogs and cats up for adoption.
The grants also support many local anti-cruelty and animal care programs around the state, including animal cruelty investigations for animal control and investigators. In addition, shelters use these grants to help care for animals seized through animal cruelty and hoarding cases.
The Animal Welfare Fund is able to invest in these causes and strengthen local communities through the generosity of Michigan taxpayers.
Since 2010, MDARD has distributed $1.4 million to 210 shelters throughout the state, with 59 grant applications requests totaling more than $511,000 in 2021.
Local shelters’ projects are tailored to fit the needs of the communities that they serve and to get more pets into fur-ever homes.