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Michigan agriculture director outlines priorities, warns bird‑flu remains a concern
Summary
Director Tim Boring told the House Agriculture Committee that MDARD will prioritize plant and animal diagnostics, biosecurity for highly pathogenic avian influenza, climate‑resilient and regenerative practices, and renewal of the freshwater protection fund. He said Michigan remains engaged with USDA surveillance and industry partners.
Director Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, told the House Agriculture Committee that the department will prioritize plant and soil diagnostics, biosecurity against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), climate‑resilient and regenerative practices, and renewal of the state’s freshwater protection fund.
Boring said the department is “positioning ourselves to seize opportunities” and stressed the economic significance of Michigan agriculture, including recent craft‑beverage figures and Ag Census data. "We have 5,200,000 gallons of craft beverage here in the state," he said, and noted the 2022 Ag Census lists about 200 commodities produced in Michigan and a roughly 20% reduction in the number of farms from 2017 to 2022.
Why it matters: MDARD’s priorities affect farm revenue, rural economies and interstate commerce for Michigan commodities. The department’s actions on disease surveillance, biosecurity and grant programs shape whether producers can move products across state and national lines and how federal funding supports research and risk‑mitigation tools.
Boring told the committee MDARD derives a significant portion of some bureau budgets from federal funds but accounts for about 0.18% of the total state budget, saying the agency aims to be “streamlined” while delivering services. He described four MDARD bureaus — agricultural development and producer services, environment and sustainability, food safety and animal health, and laboratory and consumer protection — and highlighted work ranging from meat inspection to enforcement of weights and measures.
On avian influenza, Boring said Michigan was an early state to detect spillover of the virus into dairy cattle and has since partnered with USDA’s National Milk Testing Surveillance Program. "We have been several months now without a detection in dairy cattle," he said, and added the state is about three months into participation in the USDA testing program. He said commercial poultry impacts in Michigan since December have been “far more limited” than in some neighboring states but cautioned the virus persists in wild migratory birds and remains a continuing concern.
Boring described MDARD actions used during last year’s outbreak — emergency biosecurity guidance, visitor logs, and targeted on‑farm measures — and said the department will continue to work with DNR, DHHS and labor agencies to coordinate public‑health and animal‑health responses. "We've prioritized making sure that we're working closely with not only state partners, but local health partners," he said, citing a recent public‑health call with about 200 participants.
The director also discussed regenerative agriculture and market incentives: he said producers may receive cost‑share aid for practices such as cover crops, but payments should be linked to demonstrable environmental outcomes so farmers are compensated for improved soil health and resiliency.
Other priorities Boring listed include addressing invasive species that limit market access for nursery and Christmas tree products, continuing plant and soil diagnostic capacity, and pursuing renewal of the freshwater protection fund to support pesticide and fertilizer assessments and related programs.
Commissioner David Williams, a fifth‑generation producer who serves on MDARD’s advisory commission, described the commission’s makeup and advisory role, noting members represent different production sectors and meet every other month to advise the director.
Committee members asked about the effect of potential federal funding cuts, industry implementation of cage‑free egg laws, PPE and worker health during outbreaks, soil mineral nutrition, and the department’s role in farm‑siting disputes. Boring said MDARD has testified before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee about specialty crops and the importance of a federal farm bill for research and risk‑mitigation tools, and pledged to provide additional follow‑up information requested by representatives.
The committee moved on after roughly an hour of MDARD briefing and questions.
