News

Director Boring on Michigan’s ag budget

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director says the governor’s 2025 budget will continue to grow the state’s food and agriculture sector.

Tim Boring tells Brownfield $3 million for a Food and Family program is a new effort to address ongoing gaps in the supply chain.

“We’re looking to bring on some additional food systems experts within the department with this funding,” he explains. “We’re looking to utilize this base funding to be able to capture additional federal grants and put in place the pieces of a system to make this all work better.”

The governor’s proposal to move 24 Michigan Agriculture and Environmental Assurance Program technicians into the department was not included in the final budget but lawmakers supported a $250,000 one-time study of agricultural stewardships at local conservation districts.

“We invest a lot of money into conservation across Michigan, and it’s vitally important for us to be understanding of how we’re maximizing those resources and understanding that,” he says. “This is fundamental work for us to be weathering 5-inch rainfall events within a week that we’ve seen in a lot of places.”

Conservation districts were appropriated $3 million for conservation delivery, up $1 million from the prior fiscal year, but will now have to apply for funds through a grant program.

Responding to the governor’s veto of a biofuel tax incentive passed by the legislature, Boring says the administration is dedicated to long-term clean energy solutions made in Michigan.

“We look forward to continue working with other state agencies of how we’re putting together comprehensive solutions here and making sure that that agriculture is a broad piece of how we’re delivering success for the state,” he says.

Additional MDARD funding was awarded for prevention and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza, a fruit and vegetable prescription program, farmer’s market updates and animal welfare grants.

Funding for ag climate resiliency, soil health and regenerative ag, emerging contaminates, and food and ag supply chain investments were mostly maintained from the last budget.

AUDIO: TIm Boring, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development