Michigan Department of Ag & Rural Development talks priorities

News

Michigan Department of Ag & Rural Development talks priorities

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer proposed how the state could help lower the cost of electric vehicles in her recent State of the State address. The ag director says biofuels and renewable fuels also pose a great investment for Michigan.

Gary McDowell with the Michigan Department of Agriculture tells Brownfield it will take a while to expand electrification infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

“They’re cleaner fuels, and they make new markets for our farmers so I think that’s a great bridge to getting to the day when we probably will all be electric,” he says.

Whitmer also outlined the need to expand access to mental health services which McDowell says the department is working on through partnerships with Michigan State University Extension.

“This is in the budget presently, I’m hoping there’ll be more,” he says.

McDowell outlined budget priority areas and other efforts of the department in an interview with Brownfield Wednesday.

.