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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If you suspect that a pesticide was illegally distributed or misused, you may file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). MDARD has primary enforcement responsibility for pesticide use violations in Michigan. Pesticide-related complaints filed with other state and federal agencies (including the Environmental Protection Agency) are often referred to us for follow-up. We investigate pesticide issues in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings.
Pesticides are substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating pests. Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides are some of the more recognized pesticides. Others include plant growth regulators, surface disinfectants, and swimming pool sanitizers.
Common pesticide-related complaints include:
If this is an emergency, contact an appropriate responder prior to filing your complaint with MDARD.
If you believe you were exposed to pesticides and became ill, please seek medical attention. For urgent health concerns, call 911 or contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If it’s available, have the product container, label, or any available information about the product with you.
If you were contacted with pesticides due to drift or off-target discharge and intend to file a complaint with MDARD, consider putting your clothes into a clean bag, and if possible then into a refrigerator separated from food items. Your garments may be collected for residue analysis in an investigation of the incident. Personal items collected by MDARD as part of an investigation cannot be returned.
If you have general questions about the risks of pesticides, contact NPIC (National Pesticide Information Center) at their website or 1-800-858-7378. If it’s available, have the product container, label, or any available information about the product with you.
If you are not reporting a potential violation but have a question only about what someone applied, we recommend you speak with the applicator or neighbor. We do not perform spot records reviews only to fulfill a general request for information.
If you have general questions about the MDARD pesticide program, email MDARD-Pesticide@michigan.gov.
Depending on the nature or your concern, some types of complaints should be directed to other agencies.
If you suspect that plants, soil, or water were improperly exposed to pesticides, it is important to document the condition of the impacted area before and after damage becomes apparent. Most plants tend to show symptoms within a week after an application. If you can, take photographs of the scene that you can provide when filing a complaint.
Save any available paperwork (such as public notices or customer receipts) or other evidence (including home security camera footage) that could assist MDARD with an investigation.
MDARD’s Geagley Laboratory will only accept pesticide samples that have been collected by MDARD personnel. If you want to collect your own samples, you will need to submit them to a private laboratory for analysis. We do not maintain a list of labs that offer these services, although Michigan State University Extension may have an updated list.
If you are considering reporting damage to a raw agricultural commodity intended for human food, be aware that we may have to involve our Produce Safety Unit regarding potentially unsafe pesticide residues.
If you are a certified organic farm and suspect drift, you should contact your certifying agency.
Formal complaints can be filed by contacting MDARD. You will be asked to provide your name and contact information. Be aware that any identifying information provided to us becomes part of the official case file. This means that under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), some of your information may be disclosed if someone makes a request. We cannot legally offer anonymity if you provide your contact information. To file anonymously without providing your email address or phone number, use our online form.
Your complaint may be provided to the business or person you are complaining about, and it may be sent to other governmental agencies for their review.
Complaints can be filed anonymously, but that may limit our ability to do a thorough investigation. We will follow up on any credible tip involving an alleged pesticide violation, but our field response may vary depending on the nature of the concern and the amount of information available.
Ensure that any information provided to us is truthful and accurate to the best of your knowledge. We reserve the right to use any information you submit in support of an administrative, civil, or criminal action.
After a complaint is filed, we will determine the appropriate response. If warranted, an inspector will be assigned to the case. The inspector will need to interview you (if you provided contact information) and the accused party. To fully investigate the concerns, the inspector may need to reveal your identity when conducting interviews or requesting information. The inspector may also interview other persons (such as neighbors) that may be involved with or have information pertaining to the incident.
Depending on the allegations, the inspector may need access to your property to determine the nature and cause of the damage. The inspector may collect samples, such as plants, water, or soil. If necessary for the investigation, we may request your permission to collect personal items. We will only collect samples if they are deemed necessary.
The time to respond to a complaint and complete the report can vary due to many factors, including investigation complexity, sample collection, and laboratory analysis.
After the investigation is complete, enforcement personnel will review the inspector’s reported findings. If violations are identified, we will pursue appropriate action. If you filed a formal complaint, you will receive a disposition letter after the case review. The letter will indicate if your allegations were verified or refuted.
Case file information such as the report, statements, photos, collected records, sample results, and emails are considered public record. The disposition letter will contain instructions on how to file a FOIA request per MDARD’s guidelines.
MDARD does not have legal authority to recover damages or compensate individuals for losses due to pesticide use. Under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451 of 1994, as amended, you do not have to file a complaint with MDARD to pursue a civil claim for damages.
MDARD does not provide legal counsel. If you have questions about your legal rights, contact an attorney.
If you wish to file a pesticide-related complaint, please use our online complaint form.
MDARD is authorized to enforce Part 83, Pesticide Control, and Part 85, Fertilizers, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451 of 1994, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder. MDARD also has primary enforcement responsibility for pesticide use violations under sections 26 and 27 of the Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide and Fungicide Act (FIFRA).
MDARD has authority to conduct investigations when there is reasonable cause to believe that a pesticide has been used in violation of the law and the promulgated rules. MDARD inspectors may enter and conduct inspections upon any public or private premises or other place, including vehicles of transport, where pesticides or devices are being used or held for distribution or sale, for the purposes of inspecting records, inspecting and obtaining samples of pesticides or devices, and to inspect equipment or methods of application, to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The time to respond to a complaint and complete the investigation report can vary due to many factors, such as investigation complexity, sample collection, and laboratory analysis.
After the investigation is complete, enforcement personnel will review the inspector’s findings. If no violations are found, you will receive a letter notifying you that we have concluded the investigation. If violations are identified, we will pursue appropriate action.
Several enforcement actions are available to MDARD. Options include:
If we pursue enforcement action, you have rights to hearings and an appeals process.
If you are accused of a pesticide violation, MDARD will contact you to obtain your statements or otherwise notify you of the complaint. It is important to cooperate and provide truthful information. You may be in violation if you give false information or otherwise hinder the investigation.
If applicable, the inspector may request relevant records and copies of pesticide labels. The inspector may visit your facility or the application site to perform a site assessment, take photographs, and collect samples, if necessary.