By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN

Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — A 40-year veteran of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is the agency’s new top leader.

Former Chief Deputy Director Gordon Wenk took over as MDARD director March 5. He replaces Jamie Clover Adams, who resigned from the post to accept a new position with the USDA as an advisor in the office of the secretary, effective March 5.

Wenk said he is looking forward to “continuing the good work of the department.

“It’s been 40 good years. There are good people within the department, and it’s a very good industry to work with. They are good, practical folks who are interested in doing the right thing to further the state's food and ag industry.”

He began his career with the agency as a field person working with local conservation districts. From there, he became the first deputy and then division chief of the Environmental Stewardship Division, and since 2008 he has served as chief deputy director.

“Being brought up in the agency is something I take a lot of pride in,” Wenk said.

During his career, he has been integral in the implementation of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in partnership with USDA and the Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality. He also led in the development of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), a voluntary farmer-led program now used as a national model for environmental programs.

Wenk complimented Clover Adams “as a very effective director,” saying he will miss her leadership and talking with her about a variety of topics.

Gov. Rick Snyder commended both Wenk and Clover Adams for their leadership and contributions to the department. “We’re very fortunate to have an experienced leader like Gordon who can move seamlessly into his new role as MDARD director,” he said.

“He has committed his entire career to the food and agriculture community and has done so with a focus on protecting and preserving our state’s incredible natural resources. It’s reassuring to know that the successful progress and goals of MDARD will continue.

“Jamie has served the state of Michigan with incredible commitment and leadership,” Snyder added. “She has been instrumental in the agricultural sector’s job growth and helping to push Michigan over the $100 billion mark in economic impact from the food and agriculture industry. She will be missed, but we’re proud to have her serving farmers at the national level.”

When Clover Adams was made MDARD director by Snyder in July 2012, she was the first woman to be appointed director of Michigan state agriculture. Prior to that, she worked in various governmental leadership roles for nearly 25 years, including the state Senate, as well as director of the Kansas Department of Agriculture from 1999-2003.

As MDARD director, she created the Food and Agriculture Investment Fund, which provides financial support for projects that help expand food and agriculture processing to enable growth in the industry and Michigan’s economy. She also repealed 44 percent of departmental antiquated rules, improved customer service, created a performance of excellence culture and, most recently, took a leadership role in addressing environmental stewardship in the Western Lake Erie Basin area.

Clover Adams said her time as MDARD director has been invaluable and she is looking forward to taking her diverse experience in Michigan to help achieve Secretary Sonny Perdue's goal of making USDA the most efficient and effective federal department, providing the best customer service to farmers.

She said she has been “honored to serve the great people of Michigan. Through a shared vision for the food and agriculture industry in Michigan, we have been able to rebuild the department to better serve our partners, create jobs and protect consumers throughout Michigan and all the other states and countries that enjoy Michigan-made, Michigan-grown products.

“I know the department is being left in very capable hands, and I look forward to making an impact for farmers and conservation efforts a national scale with the USDA. If I think about where I’m going at USDA, Secretary Perdue says do right and feed people,” she said, “and he has a real focus on improving customer service to farmers and maintaining USDA as the most efficient and effective federal government agency. That fits in my wheelhouse.”

Clover Adams said although she is moving from an agency of about 450 people to one of about 25,000, “the concepts are the same. It’s just a question of how do you use the good staff and move forward? They’re out on the front lines; they know what the rocks in the road are. It’s about listening to them to make things better for farmers.”

In addition to her years of professional experience, she believes growing up on a farm helped prepare her for the next step in her career. “I understand the practical side of implementing farm programs and how they affect people and farmers.”