Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring stated in a recent press release that the Fiscal Year 2026 budget ensures that MDARD can serve Michigan residents and support Michigan’s agriculture industry.

“This bipartisan budget ensures we can continue protecting Michiganders through our food safety efforts, creating economic opportunities for farmers and producers who put food on the table, and preparing for future emergencies so we’re ready to respond when emerging threats hit Michigan’s ag industry,” Boring said in the release.

Boring added that the budget recognizes “the importance of the agriculture industry in Michigan.”

Boring stated that MDARD is focused on helping farmers and businesses “thrive,” protecting the state from diseases, keeping the food supply safe, and more.

The release highlights items in the MDARD budget which include $18.9 million for protecting Michigan’s food supply, more than $17.1 million in grant funding, more than $4 million for emergency management and threat mitigation, and others.