HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
REP. JULIE ALEXANDER
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 06,
2019
10:30 AM
Room 326, House Office
Building, Lansing, MI
The House Standing Committee on Agriculture was called to order by Chairman Alexander.
The Clerk read a letter from House Speaker Lee Chatfield which appointed members of the Agriculture
Committee.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Alexander, Meerman, LaFave, Eisen, Mueller, Wendzel, Elder, Coleman, Garza, C.A.
Johnson, Witwer.
Absent/Excused: None.
Representative Meerman moved to adopt Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m., in room 326 of the House Office
Building, as the day, time, and location for the regularly scheduled meetings of the House Agriculture
Committee.
The motion prevailed 10-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Alexander, Meerman, LaFave, Eisen, Mueller, Wendzel, Elder, Coleman, Garza,
Witwer.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The Chair stated that the House Agriculture Committee will follow Chapter IV, stated in the House
Standing Rules, that were adopted on the House Floor.
The Chair discussed her expectations for the committee.
The Chair invited each member to introduce themselves.
The Chair explains how the committee will run under her leadership.
Gary McDowell, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, provided a
presentation regarding the Michigan Food and Agriculture Industry and reviewed the following topics:
what the Michigan Food and Agriculture Industry encompasses; nationally known companies that use
Michigan products; the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Mission and Key
Goals; personnel makeup and tasks of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;
Budget; Key Initiatives. Questions and discussion followed.
Phil Korson, President of the Cherry Market Institute and Executive Director of the Michigan Cherry
Committee, provided a presentation on the Michigan and United States Tart Cherry Industry. Questions
and discussion followed.
There being no further business before the committee, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:23 AM.
Representative Julie Alexander, Chair
Dakota Soda
Committee Clerk
dsoda@house.mi.gov