Governor Approves Michigan Equine Partnership Request for Survey Funding

Lansing: Governor Granholm signed the Omnibus Budget Bill containing the budget for the Michigan Department of Agriculture which includes $50,000 for the Michigan Equine Survey.
Michigan Equine Partnership requested the legislature and Governor to budget $50,000 to finalize funding for the comprehensive Michigan Equine Survey. Several members of Michigan Equine Partnership testified before the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Sub-Committees explaining the magnitude of the equine industry and the economic value of the survey. The last comprehensive equine survey was conducted in 1982.
The Michigan State University Animal Initiative awarded $42,500 towards the survey and the $50,000 approved in the 2006-2007 budget will nearly complete the $120,000 funding needed. Industry and grants will complete the financial obligation.
This is an outstanding opportunity for the State of Michigan, its leaders and the equine industry to get a grasp on the economic impact and value of equine in the state’s economy. This survey will be conducted randomly and the survey committee asks anyone receiving the survey to please cooperate in its completion as all information is protected under the Freedom of Information Act.
The budget also includes language that directs the Michigan Department of Agriculture, with other interested parties, to work toward the expansion of the Michigan State University Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.