Michigan agriculture director outlines department priorities, says bird-flu risk remains

Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), told the House Agriculture Committee that the department will press priorities on biosecurity, plant and soil diagnostics, and rural economic development while continuing to respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza risks.

Boring told lawmakers, “My name is Tim Boring. I'm the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development,” and described MDARD’s work across food safety, animal health, environmental programs and consumer protection.

The department’s priorities, Boring said, include climate resiliency and regenerative agriculture aimed at increasing on-farm returns and weather resiliency; plant and soil diagnostics to limit invasive pests; and renewal of the Freshwater Protection Fund that supports conservation districts and pesticide/fertilizer assessments. He said MDARD draws a significant portion of its budget from federal funds and represents about 0.18% of the overall…