| Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development | |
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1921 |
| Headquarters | Lansing, Michigan |
| Employees | 400 (2011 Fiscal Yr) |
| Annual budget | $72.2 million (2011-12 Fiscal Yr)[1] |
| Ministers responsible | Donald Coe, Commission Chair Velmar Green, Commission Vice Chair Jennifer Fike, Commission Secretary Diane Hanson, Commissioner Bob Kennedy, Commissioner |
| Agency executives | Keith Creagh, Director Gordon Wenk, Chief Deputy Director |
| Website | |
| www.michigan.gov/mda | |
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, 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. A five-member commission head 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.[2]
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Along with a proposed merger of the Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Natural Resources, in 2009 former Governor Jennifer Granholm issued an Executive Order making the Department's Director appointed by the Governor instead of the Agriculture Commission. [3] In 2011, current Governor Rick Snyder renamed the department to Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, giving it an expanded mission in the rural areas to include economic, social, and educational.[4]
| Director of Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development |
|
|---|---|
|
Incumbent
Keith Creagh[4] |
|
| Appointer | Governor of Michigan[3] |
| Formation | 1921 |
| Website | michigan.gov/Meet The Director |
| Racing Commissioner |
|
|---|---|
| Appointer | |
| Final holder | Patricia A. Lockwood, acting |
| Abolished | 1/17/2010[6] |
Executive Order No. 2009 — 45 signed on October 8, 2009 transfer the duties of the Racing Commissioner from MDARD to the Michigan Gaming Control Board and abolishes the office effective January 17,2010.[6]