Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, announced June 20 that he will step down from the post which he has held for nine years on July 29.

The Michigan Commission of Agriculture in October 1996 appointed Mr. Wyant to the position.

He has accepted a position as president and chief operating officer of the Edward Lowe Foundation, a private operating foundation that assists entrepreneurs. The foundation is located on 2,500 acres of rural farmland in Cassopolis, MI.

Mr. Wyant, a native of Michigan's Cass County, brought a vast agricultural background to MDA with a bachelor's degree in food systems management from Michigan State University and a master's degree from American University in Washington, DC. He began his public career providing policy expertise for the Michigan Senate and serving as legislative liaison for the MDA.

He is past president of the MSU College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni Board; past president of the Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council, which encompasses 12 Midwestern states; and past chair of the Food Safety Policy Committee for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Mr. Wyant is also past president of the Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture, a former FFA state officer, and is currently a member of the Michigan FFA Foundation Board of Directors.

In February 2002, he was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to serve on the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Advisory Committee. In early 2003, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm appointed him to the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council.

Under Mr. Wyant's leadership, MDA has seen an increase in consumer confidence due to programs that have placed a priority on food safety. He is especially proud of his role in introducing initiatives that promote environmental stewardship on farms. A highlight of his MDA career was attaining split-state status for bovine tuberculosis, saving the state's livestock industry millions of dollars in testing costs and ensuring markets for Michigan-raised cattle. Mr. Wyant has also been a strong advocate of programs that help farmers add value to Michigan-grown commodities.

"It has truly been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated and talented staff as the MDA team," said Mr. Wyant. "I will miss the day-to-day interactions with staff and the many stakeholders I have come to know in the food and agriculture industry.

He added, "It has been an honor to serve as department director for the past nine years, and I leave very optimistic about the future economic potential of agriculture in Michigan.

The Michigan Commission of Agriculture, which will begin accepting applications for the post immediately, appoints Michigan's director of agriculture. Application information may be obtained from Debra Merrill at 517/335-3403.