Update: In mid-May, both chambers of the Legislature passed state budgets on party line votes, including funding for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The budget bills will next be reviewed by conference committees where legislative leaders will determine if additional changes are needed.
The Michigan Legislature is poised to begin voting on the 2023-24 state budget this week and is recommending an overall decrease in funding for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The House and Senate appropriations committees passed draft MDARD budgets last week reflecting a 19.6% and 13.3% decrease respectively – a deviation from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive budget recommendation, which proposed a 1.1% increase for the department.
“When you look at the agriculture funding proposed by the House, Senate and governor, there are some differences – which could be attributed to expected decreases due to the amount of one-time dollars allocated for special projects and programs,” said MFB Legislative Counsel Rebecca Park. “It’s hard to predict where things will shake out until the bills head to conference committee where the chambers will work through their differences.”
Looking beyond that, Park said there are a couple items in particular the organization is optimistic about.
“We’ve been working with MSU and our partners to advocate for funding to enhance plant-based commodity education, outreach, and research of technologies that promote environmental sustainability,” Park said. “As a result, Rep. Brixie and her agriculture appropriations subcommittee included $7 million in their proposal for the Solving Emerging Environmental Developments and Security Sustainability program.
“Further, the House’s higher education budget proposes an additional $4.8 million be dedicated to the program.”
Related: MSU, Farm Bureau members support $16M sustainable ag initiative
And on the topic of higher education, it’s worth mentioning that the governor, House and Senate are all proposing a funding boost for MSU Extension and AgBioResearch. The governor’s proposal recommends a 4% increase, while the House and Senate are recommending closer to a 6% increase.
But back to MDARD…
Following is a selection of line items within the governor’s executive recommendation and how the current House and Senate recommendations compare.
Agriculture and food industry supply chain
The governor recommends $37.5 million to support the agriculture and food industry supply chain, including accessibility of cold storage, distribution and processing facilities, and implementation of advanced technologies.
House proposes funding at $2 million
Senate proposes funding at $4 million
Climate-smart farming
The governor recommends $10 million for a new “MI Climate Smart Farming” program to assist farmers in implementing practices to reduce soil disturbance, maximize crop diversity, sequester carbon, and reduce sediment and nutrient runoff.
House proposes no funding
Senate proposes funding at $13 million: $11 million in one-time funding and $2 million ongoing
Emerging contaminates
The governor recommends $6.2 million to identify, respond to, and mitigate emerging contaminates, including PFAS, affecting agriculture and related food industries.
House proposes matching the governor’s recommendation, but as one-time funding
Senate proposes matching the governor’s recommendation: $4 million in one-time funding and $2 million ongoing
Disease mitigation practices
The governor recommends $5 million to help continue implementing practices that separate livestock from wildlife.
House and Senate included a $100 placeholder for potential restricted funds
Michigan Animal Agriculture Alliance
The governor recommends $3 million in continued funding for the Michigan Animal Agriculture Alliance.
House and Senate concur with governor’s recommendation
Food and Agriculture Investment Grants
The governor proposes $2.5 million for food and agriculture investment grants that help expand food and agriculture processing to enable growth in the industry and Michigan's economy.
House and Senate concur with governor’s recommendation
Local conservation districts
The governor recommends $2 million in continued funding for local conservation districts. 
House proposes matching the governor’s recommendation
Senate proposes funding at $3 million
Agricultural preservation easement grants
The governor recommends $1.9 million in funding for agricultural preservation easement grants.
House and Senate concur with governor’s recommendation
Fair Food Network
The governor recommends $900,000 for the Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program.
House proposes matching the governor’s recommendation
Senate proposes funding at $2 million
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