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Michigan’s ag budget sees boost

Governor Rick Snyder has approved close to $100 million for Michigan’s Department of Agriculture’s next fiscal year budget.

Department Director Jamie Clover Adams tells Brownfield the state’s legislature increased funding for business development efforts, including value-added processing and exports, from the governor’s proposed budget.  “We got an additional $4.7 million for our business development and export activities to really ramp up our efforts to work with businesses in Michigan and bring businesses to Michigan in the food processing area.”

She says the additional funds will primarily be used to support projects that expand business opportunities for products expected to see increased demand in the next five years including dairy, baked goods and confectionary items, beer, savory foods, and processed fruits and vegetables.

Other increases in funding will support Michigan’s Right to Farm program, a two year cost-share bovine tuberculosis project, and staff for the intercounty drain program.

Clover Adams says the budget also supports a new animal agricultural program at Michigan State University, improvements to the college’s fruit and vegetable lab as well as increased agricultural job training at community colleges.

AUDIO: Interview with Director Jamie Clover Adams