Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

Today, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development voted to approve Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grants to Popz Beez for $55,000 and Byron Center Meats for $70,000. These funds will enable the companies to enhance local supply chains, generate new economic opportunities for farmers and food-based businesses, and create new good-paying jobs locally. To read more, visit https://lnkd.in/e7aFxMBk.

Save the date for the Farmers Market at the Capitol on July 23, August 27, and September 24 from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at the East Lawn of the Michigan State Capitol Building. To learn more, visit mifma.org.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has announced a cooperative agreement with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) investing $8 million in competitive grant funding. Through this agreement, USDA and Michigan are working together to award grants for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the state’s supply chain. MDARD is accepting applications for RFSI grant funding through June 17, 2024. https://lnkd.in/gT3GwN2Q

MDARD continues to respond to #HPAI in Michigan dairy herds and poultry operations. This situation is rapidly evolving and changing. If you want the latest information on #BirdFlu in Michigan, subscribe below for email notifications with up-to-date news and alerts. Alerts will include if HPAI is detected in a new location within Michigan. Subscribe here: bit.ly/3xYtJD0

Today, MDARD Director Boring signed a Determination of Extraordinary Emergency, HPAI Risk Reduction and Recovery order (HRRRO) in response to Michigan’s ongoing #HPAI outbreak.    This order takes critical steps necessary to further protect Michigan’s livestock industry from the threat of HPAI. The order goes into effect on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and applies to all dairy and commercial poultry facilities statewide.    "This national HPAI outbreak must be a top priority for all who work in agriculture. At MDARD, we're taking aggressive action to protect both animal and public health to help reduce the further spread of HPAI in Michigan," said Director Boring.    To read the full order, visit  https://lnkd.in/gpZp8sfF

We are happy to have presented this incredible company with the Michigan State University Product Center's Start Up to Watch Award at this year's Making it in Michigan show! They have worked hard to overcome challenges and obstacles to succeed in providing alternative protein products to the market. Check out the full story here. https://bit.ly/3xVbOgM

The Food Export Association of the Midwest and MDARD's International Marketing Program are partnering to bring approximately 15 international buyers to Michigan as part of their Summer in the Cities Buyers’ Mission in Grand Rapids from July 29-30. https://bit.ly/3w1wF1j

MDARD is hiring a Grants Program Analyst! This position will work with state grant programs through the Food and Agriculture Business Development Division, including development, analysis, and processing of grant agreements, reports, payments, and contracts within SIGMA and the MiAgGrants system. The incumbent will research and develop processes to support the grant programs through research, analysis and preparation of reporting and tracking documents. Read more and apply by 4/25 at https://bit.ly/3THekhT #MiGovJobs

MDARD Director Dr. Tim Boring today announced plans to partner with the Alliance for the Great Lakes for $4.86 million in funding over the next five years to the Alliance for the Great Lakes to expand water quality monitoring in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB). The research effort utilizes expertise at Michigan State University's Institute of Water Research and LimnoTech, while leveraging $600,000 in funding from the Erb Family Foundation. This significant increase in research and monitoring will aid the state's strategy in developing a plan to combat harmful algal blooms in the WLEB. Read more at https://bit.ly/4aFICbK

MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics and MDARD’s Plant Pathology Laboratory have collaborated over a decade to diagnose plant problems and provide aid to growers! Read more at https://bit.ly/3J1VGwf