The Agriculture and Rural Communities Roundtable provides a forum to discuss how the laws, rules, and policies administered by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) affect farmers, food processors, agribusiness, rural communities, and cities, villages and townships in rural counties.

The Roundtable was created by Public Act 47 of 2005. The DEQ intends to hold two Roundtable meetings in each year in various locations throughout Michigan. Each meeting will include a discussion by a panel of invited representatives of farmers, food processors, agribusiness, local government and others interested parties. There will also be an opportunity for members of the general public to make comments or ask questions. Representatives of the DEQ and Michigan Department of Agriculture are present to participate in the discussion and respond to questions.