The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Dru Montri, was recently elected to serve as Chair of the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development. The new officers were elected and announced on February 22, 2017, during a scheduled meeting at Constitution Hall in downtown Lansing. The Commission is a bipartisan board appointed by the Governor with the responsibilities to recommend and, in some cases, determine, policy on food, agriculture, and rural development issues. Dru has served on the Commission since 2014.
When asked about her thoughts on serving as Chair of the Commission, Montri says, “Serving on the Commission is an opportunity to represent the voice of small and medium-sized diversified farms. The Commission discusses and approves changes to practices and standards that are important to protecting public health and preserving our environment. In the role as Chair, I’ll have the opportunity to continue to work with our state government to mobilize support for programs and policies that work for farms at all scales.”
Dru has been the Executive Director of MIFMA since 2006. Together, with a diverse group of stakeholders, she has led MIFMA’s membership development and strategic planning in support of the organization’s mission to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products. During this time, Michigan has seen the number of farmers markets grow from 150 to more than 300 today. Simultaneously, MIFMA has grown from an idea to an association of more than 500 members with programming for farmers market mangers, farmers, and small businesses focused on professional development, marketing, state and national policy, and food access. Dru and the association are committed to sustaining, supporting and promoting farmers and farmers markets throughout Michigan.
For more information on the Commission visit www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572_2878—,00.html. The media release from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572_28248-405546–,00.html