By KEVIN WALKER
Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Mitch Irwin announced last week that he is stepping down from his post effective Aug. 17 or before.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm commended Irwin for his years of dedicated service and creativity he brought to state government.

“Mitch has been an enthusiastic champion for protecting our food supply, promoting Michigan-grown products, and preserving critical farmland,” Granholm said. “Mitch also helped launch our effort to create thriving biofuel and alternative energy industries in Michigan, a critical part of our plan to revitalize Michigan’s economy.”

Michigan Farm Bureau President Wayne Wood was also pleased with Irwin’s tenure.

“Director Irwin has been a strong advocate for promoting and growing Michigan’s $60.1 billion agriculture industry,” Wood said in an MFB prepared statement.

“Under his leadership, an economic study was prepared by Michigan State University to illustrate just how important agriculture is to our state in terms of economic activity, employment, and other factors.”

Irwin said his decision brings to a close a career of public service in state government that began with his election to the state senate in the 1970s. He is planning on pursuing other opportunities in the private sector.

Irwin replaced former MDA Director Dan Wyant, who was director of the MDA for nine years, from 1996-2005.

Before taking the helm of the MDA two years ago Irwin was director of the Michigan Department of Management and Budget. Before that he served in the state senate from 1979-1990, representing a portion of northern Michigan.

He also served on the Economic Development Corporation of Chippewa County, and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission.

The Agriculture Commission selects the MDA director. The commission’s chairman, James Byrum, said that the commission will start the selection process immediately and will choose a new director sometime in the next several weeks.

This farm news was published in the July 25, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.