Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Department overview
Formed1921
HeadquartersLansing, Michigan
Employees508 (2018 Fiscal Yr)
Annual budget$110.2 million (2019 Fiscal Yr)[1]
Ministers responsible
  • Trever Meachum, Commission Vice Chair
  • Brian Pridgeon, Commission Secretary
  • Dru Montri, Commissioner
  • Patti Bergdahl, Commissioner
  • Charlie Meintz, Commissioner
Department executives
  • Dr. Tim Boring, Director
  • Kenneth McFarlane, Chief Operating Officer
  • Kathy Angerer, Deputy Director
Websitewww.michigan.gov/mdard

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), formerly the Michigan Department of Agriculture is a department of the Michigan state government created in 1921 to enforce laws regarding agriculture production and distribution. Agriculture in the State of Michigan is now a $104.7 billion industry.[2] A five-member commission heads the Department with a Director of Agriculture & Rural Development to administer the day-to-day activities.

Under Governor Rick Snyder, MDARD is now part of the "Quality of Life" group within state government, along with the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Quality.[3]

The mission of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is, "To protect, promote and preserve the food, agricultural, environmental and economic interests of the people of Michigan."

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has six divisions, which work to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public’s food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures

  1. ^ "State of Michigan Fiscal Year 2018-19 Appropriations Summary and Analysis" (PDF). michigan.gov website. State of Michigan. 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
  2. ^ "MDARD - Facts About Michigan Agriculture".
  3. ^ Luke, Peter (30 November 2010). "Gov.-elect Snyder says environmental departments will focus on "quality of life"". MLive.com. Retrieved 30 November 2010.