The Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year award is organized by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). This award recognizes Michigan's most successful exporters in the food, agriculture, and forest products industries. The aim of this initiative is to highlight a Michigan-based company that has demonstrated significant success in expanding its export activities, either by entering new markets or enhancing its presence in existing ones. The award also emphasizes the company’s role in contributing to Michigan’s economy by creating jobs and boosting export sales.

To be eligible for the award, companies must be involved in food, agriculture, or forest products, and must manufacture or ship products that are grown, processed, or manufactured in Michigan. The products must meet a threshold of at least 50% of being Michigan-made. Companies with production facilities in Michigan but headquartered outside the state may also apply if their exports originate from Michigan. Past recipients can apply again after five years if they have increased their exports or expanded into new markets.

Applicants must submit a company profile form, along with a written response to a series of questions detailing their export activities. The written response should include information on the products being exported, the markets the company is active in, strategies for dealing with exporting regulations, and ways the company has expanded its export sales and entered new markets. Other topics to address include the company’s branding approach for export markets and any strategic alliances it has formed to support its export initiatives.

The application deadline is 5:00 PM on March 31st, 2025. Although letters of recommendation are not required, they are accepted as part of the application. Interested applicants should direct their completed application and any questions to Holly Gaffney via email (gaffneyh@michigan.gov) or phone (517-449-8482). Award recipients will be celebrated throughout 2025, with opportunities to participate in interviews and seminars to further promote Michigan’s export industry.