Insider Intelligence

Brad Deacon, Director of Legal Affairs and Emergency Management for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was recently recognized by the Partnership for Food Safety Education as a “2020 Food Safety Hero” for his outstanding work in emergency preparedness. Mr. Deacon, who joined the department in May 1999, was the only representative from Michigan to be […]

In an effort to increase awareness and interest in Michigan’s produce and food products, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be traveling to China, in the fourth annual Trade Missions to China. China is already the fifth largest importer of Michigan agriculture and products, and Mission aims to continue and strengthen that […]

On Tuesday, August 13, the Michigan House and Senate Agriculture Committees met in a joint hearing at Michigan State University to hear testimony from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan State University, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, the Michigan Farm Bureau, and the Michigan Agri-Business Association.  Testimony rotated […]

Ken McFarlane has been named as the chief deputy director at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Mr. McFarlane has worked at MDARD since June 2014, first serving as the Director of Strategy and Business Performance and was appointed deputy director in February 2016. Prior to joining the department, he worked in […]

This morning it was announced that Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams is stepping down, effective March 3, 2018. She has accepted a new position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an advisor in the office of the secretary. Ms. Clover Adams was appointed to her current role […]

This week, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).  The election took place on September 24 during the NASDA annual meeting.  This is the first time in more than twenty years that Michigan’s Director has served on […]