Applications due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2018

For Immediate Release: January 18, 2018 Media contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is pleased to announce that the nomination period for Michigan’s “Ag Exporter of the Year” award is now open.

Each year, MDARD recognizes a leading food or agriculture exporter by presenting it with the “Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year” award. The award recognizes outstanding companies for their efforts to increase exports of Michigan food and agriculture products.

Companies of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is limited to Michigan food and agriculture producers, manufacturers, or shippers of good reputation and good standing in the business community that are aggressively pursuing international markets and increasing export sales. Products must be more than 50 percent grown, processed, or manufactured in Michigan.

The winner of the “Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year” award is selected by export industry representatives based on export growth, innovation, and the pursuit of new export markets.

The Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year award was first awarded in 2006. Previous winners include Bayside Best Beans, Star of the West Milling, Continental Dairy, Connor Sports, Graceland Fruit, Cherry Central, Zeeland Farm Service, Walters Gardens, Honee Bear Canning, Cooperative Elevator Company, and Bayside Best Beans.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit http://www.michigan.gov/agexport or contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-284-5738. Click here to go directly to the Exporting Award page.

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