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Plant Health

Plant Health

The Plant Health program is located within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Bureau of Environment and Sustainability, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division. We protect agricultural and environmental resources through the early detection and management of invasive species and the inspection of plants and plant products for pests and diseases, while facilitating international and domestic commerce. Look below for more information on the various Plant Health sections.

Our mission is to safeguard agricultural and environmental resources by proactively managing invasive species, inspecting for plant pests, and supporting commerce.

Learn more about the Plant Health Leadership Team

Find your Plant Health inspector

Contact Information:

Section Manager: Molly Mott
Email: MDARD-NurseryCE@Michigan.gov 
Customer Service: 800-292-3939

 

  • Rows of decorative pink shrubs being grown in an outdoor nursery

    Nursery

    MDARD’s Nursery Program helps safeguard Michigan agriculture and natural resources against the introduction, establishment, and spread of harmful pests through inspections of nursery stock that is disseminated within or out of the state. 
  • A large area of Japanese knotweed that has overtaken other plants

    Invasive Species

    The Invasive Pest Detection and Response program focuses on the early detection of invasive species and management of these pests. 
  • Dried cracked wheat seeds

    Seed

    The Seed program is to ensure that seed offered in Michigan to growers of agricultural crops, landscapers, and private homeowners meets quality standards that have been established by the Michigan Seed Law.
  • Plant health and certification

    Plant Health Certification and Export

    The Plant Health Certification and Export Program helps prevent the introduction and dissemination of serious insects and diseases injurious to nursery stock and plant products through inspections and outreach.
  • Hemp

    Industrial Hemp

    The Plant Health section regulates industrial hemp cultivation in Michigan for purposes ranging from fiber, grain, and microgreens, to floral material and cannabinoid production.  
  • Four plant photos inset: a nursery with boxwoods, two zoomed in photos of leaves, and a microscopic view of a disease

    Plant Pathology

    The Plant Pathology Laboratory is responsible for plant disease diagnostics and performs phytosanitary testing for export certification.  
  • Blurred out quarantine map, with certain counties colored in red

    Plant Pest Quarantines

    Michigan's agriculture and natural resources are protected against harmful pests through plant pest quarantines that establish measures aimed at preventing them from being introduced, established or spread throughout the state. 

  • Langstroth hives in an orchard, you can see cherry trees in the background.

    Apiary Inspections

    Apiary inspections ensure bees and beekeeping equipment are free of pests before being shipped to other states or countries. This helps to reduce the spread of problematic pests to other places and facilitates the movement of colonies to states in need of bees for pollination of crops. We have apiary inspectors across the state available to conduct these inspections for beekeepers who request them.