Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Annual Reports
Fruit and Vegetable Controlled Atmosphere Storage Licensing Details, FAQ's, & Forms
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
All public meetings, that fall under the Open Meetings Act, scheduled by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development will be posted here. Questions about any of these meetings should be directed to contact person in the division listed on the notice.
Animal ID and movement requirements in the State of Michigan
Animal health resources for veterinary professionals.
Diseases affecting, or potentially affecting, animals in Michigan
Rules governing the disposal of Bodies of Dead Animals (BODA).
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.
Information on how to acquire a feed license to manufacture or distribute commercial feed in Michigan.
Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is charged with certifying sites where industrial hemp is to be grown under the authority of the federal Agriculture Act of 2014 and the state Industrial Hemp Research Act of 2014.
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The Fruit and Vegetable (F&V) Inspection Program offers an unbiased, third-party inspection service for the produce industry in Michigan and throughout the United States. F&V inspections are based on both USDA and MDARD standards, processor specifications, and industry requests. USDA standards are used nationwide as a basis for purchase and resolving disputes. Except for federal programs and exports, the program is voluntary. All F&V staff are required to be licensed by USDA on each commodity they inspect.
Inspections are conducted on incoming produce entering through channels of trade from anywhere in the world. Market inspections protect the buyer, broker, and consumer from receiving sub-standard produce. Michigan's produce buyers, brokers and receivers also use market inspections to resolve court disputes. This type of inspection is vital for the success of Michigan's produce industry.
Produce inspection is based upon USDA standards and processor specifications. Process inspections protect Michigan farmers by providing them with an unbiased, third party inspection on the produce they deliver to the process plant. Process inspection is voluntary.
The GAP/GHP program provides uniformity through a national auditing program for the fresh produce industry, verifying good agricultural and handling practices. It is an independent, third-party, audit-based service provided by licensed GAP/GHP inspectors who have successfully completed the GAP/GHP training class and have participated in a minimum of three audits, including two as the lead auditor. This type of audit is required by some purchasers of produce.
To request an audit, please fill out the USDA GAP/GHP - Request for Audit Services form and email to MDARD-FVInspection@Michigan.gov. If you did not participate in the USDA GAP/GHP Audit Program in the last year, download and complete the Agreement for Participation in Audit Verification Programs form as well.
$115.00 per hour inspection, plus round-trip travel.
The Controlled Atmosphere Storage Licensing program is available to any fruit or vegetable grower that wishes to market their product as meeting the qualifications of the Fruits and Vegetables Controlled Atmosphere Storage Act 228 of 1959. When the producer meets this act, their product can be marketed as "CA STORAGE" produce. MDARD's Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division is responsible for the enforcement of this act.
A person or legal entity can not sell, label, describe, advertise, offer, expose, exchange, or transport fruits or vegetables for sale represented as having been held under controlled atmosphere storage conditions as specified in the act, unless the sealed storage rooms are licensed.
$35.00 per room. Note: Rooms must be sealed on or before November 15.
All licenses expire on November 15 the year after issued and may be renewed annually unless the license is revoked or suspended.
For additional information regarding the Fruit & Vegetable Inspection Program, contact the Program Manager Patricia Bizoukas at 517-512-3603 or via email at BizoukasP@Michigan.gov.