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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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Grants
The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development administers various grants, including the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant and the state-funded Value-Added Grant and Rural Development Fund Grants. The purpose of the grants is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, promote expansion of value-added agriculture production within the state, and support infrastructure in rural communities.
United States Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. The USDA offer loans, grants and loan guarantees to support economic development and essential services.
With a $220 billion portfolio of loans the USDA can provide funding opportunities for rural small businesses through loans, loan guarantees, and grants. Key USDA programs include:
United States Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small business owners and entrepreneurs by providing counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. Learn more about SBA funding programs.
USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA)
FSA offers disaster assistance and low-interest loan programs to assist agricultural producers in their recovery efforts during drought or similar qualifying natural disasters.
The Mission of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans
FSA services can include:
Locate a Michigan FSA office near you
Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the Nation’s soil, water, and related natural resources on non-Federal lands. These programs help provide financial assistance to agricultural producers to implement new conservation measures. Other programs allow landowners to sell development rights to their land that require the land to be maintained as wetlands or for specific agricultural uses.
The Grants.gov program is a federal E-Government initiative operating under the governance of the Office of Management and Budget. Using the Grants.gov system makes it faster, easier and more cost effective for grant applicants to electronically interact with federal grant-making agencies. There are more than 1,000 different grant programs across federal grant-making agencies awarding more than $500 billion annually. Grants.gov Standardizes grant information, application packages and processes for finding and applying for federal grants.
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems publishes a directory providing an overview of various financing sources available to food-related businesses in Michigan and across the United States. While not comprehensive, the directory includes sources of national and local finance opportunities that may be available to farmers, food producers, distributors, food hubs, and other food related businesses. Find the seventh edition of this directory here: Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses, Seventh Edition - Center for Regional Food Systems (msu.edu).
Northern Initiatives (NI) is a Community Development Financial Institution that provides loans and business services to small business owners and entrepreneurs who create jobs and enable the communities of Northern rural Michigan and neighboring Wisconsin to thrive.
Council of Development Finance Agencies
The CDFA Food Systems Finance Resource Center outlines development finance tools that can be used to support local food systems, such as bonds, tax increment finance, tax credits, revolving loan funds, and other tools.
USDA and EDA Rural Development Resource Guide
The resource guide outlines programs and services that can be used to advance community and economic development in rural communities through four key focus areas:
Don’t see what you need here? Contact the Economic Development Program at
MDARD-AgD@Michigan.gov.