Lansing, MI - On Friday, February 9, 2024, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring celebrated Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Executive Budget Recommendation, which builds on the momentum of last year, grows the economy and ensures anyone can “make it” in Michigan.
This year’s budget is balanced, fiscally responsible, and does not raise taxes on Michiganders. Governor Whitmer’s budget is focused on making life more affordable by lowering costs on the biggest expenses in people’s budgets: housing, transportation, health care, utilities, and food.
"Governor Whitmer's budget recommendation and continued leadership reflect her unwavering commitment to Michigan's food and agricultural sectors and our rural communities," said Director Boring. “The proposed budget allows MDARD to continue its effort to provide food safety, encourage environmental sustainability, foster economic development, and implement efficient and effective government. Together, Michigan will remain a food and agriculture powerhouse while showing the world how everyone can 'Make it in Michigan.'”
Governor Whitmer’s recommended budget continues support for key MDARD programs including:
- $4 million for a Farm to Family Program to support regenerative farming, agriculture supply chains and promote Michigan food products in the home through a cooperative approach which will generate direct economic impacts.
- Agricultural Environmental Assurance - The executive recommended budget includes a staffing increase to support on-farm best management and conservation practices, with specific water quality improvement measures targeted in high priority watersheds, including Western Lake Erie Basin and Saginaw Bay.
- $600,000 for Emergency Management Federal Support Grant Authorization to support emergency services and incident command trainings and through emergency management grants from the United States Department of Agriculture.
“At The Nature Conservancy, we’re proud to support investments and enhancements in agricultural sustainability programs that will help drive innovation, bolster farm resiliency, promote food security, and help protect our state’s vital natural resources,” said Ben Wickerham, agriculture program director for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. “We look forward to working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature over the next several months as the budget takes shape.”
“Farm-to-Family is an exciting new investment demonstrating Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s commitment to food supply chain resilience in Michigan. These are the kind of forward-leaning ideas citizens appreciate from government,” said Paul Avery, owner & operator, Tiki Hut Farm Market.
The budget recommendation for fiscal year 2025 includes total ongoing funding of $144.2 million, of which $77 million comes from the state’s general fund.