By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Commission of Agriculture named Donald Koivisto, 57, as the new director of the Michigan Department of Agricul-ture (MDA) on Aug. 15.
The farmer and former state legislator will replace Mitch Irwin, who announced last month that he would resign from the post effective Aug. 17. Irwin had served as MDA director since 2005.
“Don is not only a strong advocate for Michigan agriculture, but has a wealth of knowledge and experience to further expand the state’s second largest industry,” said Commission Chairman James Byrum. “He will be able to hit the ground running in terms of growing Michigan agriculture, especially in the areas of renewable fuels and food processing, which are critical to the continued diversification of the state’s economy.”
Koivisto was born and raised in the western Upper Peninsula. He operates a Centennial Farm near Ellsworth where he grows corn, soybeans and hay. He graduated from Central Michigan University in 1971.
Koivisto was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for the 110th District in 1980 where he served three terms. He was chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1984-86.
Koivisto was instrumental in passing the state’s Right-to-Farm legislation that set standards for agricultural practices and gave farmers protection against nuisance lawsuits if they followed a list of generally accepted agricultural management practices.
From 1987-90, Koivisto served as a legislative staffer for the Joint Admini-strative Rules Committee. He then was elected to the Michigan Senate in 1990, where he served for 12 years. While in the Senate, he served on the agriculture appropriations committee.
Since leaving the Senate in 2002, Koivisto has been a lobbyist for the iron mining industry. However, he has continued to cultivate his agricultural interests and welcomes the challenge of helping to advance the state’s agriculture industry. He will take over the post on Sept. 5.
“Michigan agriculture is a rapidly growing sector of the state economy, and I’m looking forward to facilitating new opportunities as the state’s agriculture director,” Koivisto said. “As an advocate for agriculture, I plan to protect the industry base while increasing Michigan’s presence in other sectors, such as specialty crops and exports into the global marketplace. “Just because I was in the House and Senate doesn’t mean I know everything,” he said. “The good thing is that with the people at the department of agriculture, it will be a smooth transition. They are dedicated, knowledgeable, hardworking people.”
Michigan Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farming organization, lauds Koivisto’s appointment. “The selection of Don Koivisto as ag director is good because he brings a lot of expertise in promoting agriculture with him, along with his ability to recognize the issues that challenge our industry,” said MFB President Wayne Wood.
“One of the things the position requires is that the director be an advocate for agriculture and recognizes the high level of importance agriculture has for this state’s economy.
“Mr. Koivisto knows these things and has accomplished many things already as a legislator,” Wood said. “The fact that his handprints are on the Right-to-Farm law is very important, and we look forward to a continued partnership with the MDA and its new director.”
E.J. Brown, executive director of the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, said Koivisto is a good choice. “The Michigan Assoc. of Fairs and Exhibitions look forward to working with Mr. Koivisto,” Brown said. “His years of experience in the Legislature, both as representative and senator, showed that he was a friend of Michigan agriculture and a great friend of Michigan’s fair industry along with ag tourism.
This farm news was published in the Aug. 22, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
