New interim ag director in Michigan

Dec 07, 2022

Kathy Angerer steps into the position after Gary McDowell’s retirement

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Michigan’s ag community have a new representative in the state legislature.

Kathy Angerer, the current deputy director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), received an appointment from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to be the new ag director on an interim basis.

As deputy director, she supported the department’s work in investing in rural communities, expanding agribusinesses and protecting environmental resources.

Kathy Angerer

The work Angerer and MDARD does is important to ensure thriving rural and farming communities.

“Michigan’s rural communities and agriculture sector are crucial for the success of our state, and we appreciate the hard work happening every day at the department to grow the rural economy,” Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, said in a statement. “We also appreciate Governor Whitmer’s efforts to grow agriculture and invest in the future of our small towns. The department has been, and will continue to be, led by people who have our best interest at heart and can deliver results for rural Michigan.”

Her professional experience includes representing her community as a State Representative from 2005 to 2010. From 2011 to 2012 she served as the executive director of government affairs at AT&T Michigan, and was recently the city manager for Hamtramck.

Angerer’s appointment comes after Gary McDowell, who served as ag director for Gov. Whitmer’s first term, announced his plans to retire at the end of 2022.

McDowell chose Angerer as his deputy director in July of this year.

“Kathy has a long history of public service with a passion for the key issues impacting food and agriculture like increasing high-speed internet access and growing our small businesses, while ensuring we’re building bridges within those communities,” McDowell said in a July 18 statement. “I am confident Kathy will bring that same commitment and support for MDARD’s programs, our stakeholders and staff.”

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.