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.
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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The Demonstration Farm is nestled within the 600-acre Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home (VFWNH) in Eaton Rapids, is paving the way for veterans to engage in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture. This innovative program is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the VFW National Home, and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, supported by funding from The Corps Network, in conjunction with AmeriCorps.
Over the next year, the Demonstration Farm will employ five full-time climate corps members and engage thirty veteran volunteers to implement sustainable agricultural practices on a dedicated seven-acre parcel. This initiative will not only provide veterans with practical experience but also foster a community of individuals passionate about agriculture.
Climate Corps members will participate in weekly hands-on sessions featuring equipment introductions, demonstrations, and practice opportunities. These sessions are designed to equip participants with foundational agricultural skills, enhancing their confidence as they embark on their agricultural journey. Members will serve by building the demonstration site from the ground up, from installing fencing and irrigation to growing transplants and preparing the soil. Throughout the season members will engage the VFW National Home community in a number of educational and volunteer opportunities, bringing residents and their children to the farm to pick vegetables and pumpkins, participate in cooking demonstrations, and other farm focused opportunities.
In-person seminars on regenerative agriculture and business topics will be held both on-site and off-site, further enriching the learning experience. Participants will complete the web-based Natural Resource Conservation Service Fundamentals of Conservation and Sustainability in Agriculture Program, culminating in a certificate upon completion.
As part of their training, each member will receive personalized support from MDARD and partner staff to identify and execute a regenerative capstone project that aligns with their individual interests. Potential projects could involve topics such as apiculture, pasture raised chickens, innovative cover crop strategies or novel pest management. Members will have the chance to present their project summaries to an advisory group, fostering a spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The program serves as a vital introduction for veterans and individuals interested in the agricultural sector, offering them the resources and support needed to advance their careers, whether by starting their own farming ventures or joining firms that specialize in regenerative practices. By the end of their service, participants will feel empowered to take the next steps in their agricultural journey.
The Demonstration Farm is more than just a training ground – it is a community dedicated to equipping veterans with the skills and confidence to thrive in regenerative agriculture. Through hands-on experience and a supportive network, this initiative is poised to make a lasting impact on both its participants, the environment, and our rural communities.